Hope

Open Country Church

My mom called and talked with her sister this evening. Her sister told us of how she went to church this evening. The small country church had been closed for a year due to COVID, but opened after Easter. She said she was so happy to go to church, she couldn’t even fully explain how […]

Blessed Easter

It was a beautiful Easter in many ways. The weather was perfect. My sister’s and son came over to celebrate and we all dressed up. We tried to remember how we celebrated last year. Each of us had an idea, but no one could really figure it out. I think we were all pandemic traumatized […]

Suffering is not Inconsequential

I started this Palm Sunday with a visit from my son. He went to church and brought some palms for me and my parents. That really helped us to feel part of the Mass as we participated online. As every Palm Sunday, we read the Passion of Jesus. It is always bewildering for me to […]

Outpouring of Encouragement

A friend whose husband has Parkinson’s had come to the difficult realization that it was time for him to be placed in a memory care facility. He kept trying to walk on his own, which he is unable to do, and was falling on a regular basis. While it was an incredibly painful decision, she […]

Hope For the Future

I felt much better when I got up this morning. I got groceries, did some laundry, cooked, and even started making some Easter candy. Later in the day, I heard from other family members who were able to get scheduled for their COVID-19 vaccine. I feel like there is light at the end of this […]

Back to Playing

Due to COVID-19, it has been months since we have had visitors. But things are different now that my parents are fully vaccinated as are some of their friends. Today, my mom’s piano playing friend came over just as she used to every week. It was wonderful to see her and visit without facemasks so […]

Not an Emergency

I talked with a friend today who is a spiritual director/life coach also. She has been such a help to me as I do my best to navigate COVID and caring for my parents. One thing we talked about recently is the idea to not let my thoughts, worries, and fears of the future get […]

Wisdom on the Path

I participated in an online caregivers group today. I so appreciate getting to know the people more and listening to them. They all have different stories and their loved ones are in different stages of illness. Today I realized that is one of the blessings of the group. I don’t feel as alone in caregiving, […]

Mercy and Hope

I saw a quote today on social media that touched my heart. The problem is, I can’t remember the whole thing and haven’t been able to find it again. However, the part that I do remember has popped in my head over and over today – show mercy today and have hope in tomorrow. I […]

A Happy V-Day

We have been excitedly waiting for this day for a couple of weeks. This afternoon my parents and I headed over to the local hospital for their coronavirus vaccinations. After check-in, we walked into the conference room converted into a clinic. We were greeted by a friendly nurse who took each parent right over to […]