Struggles
Personal Pray-er
Many months ago, I started meeting with a Stephen Minister. This is someone who is trained to walk along the journey with someone perhaps going through a hard time. It is spiritual in nature, but how much is up to the participants. I usually meet with my Stephen Minister every week, but we missed a […]
Finally Home
I stopped by the house last night and saw that the workers had finished replacing our roof. I was elated and excited to finally go back home today. Mom has been saying for a couple of days that she wants to go home, but sometimes she says that even when we are at home – […]
Accessibility
It has been an adventure away from home. After two sleepless nights and days, I was determined to try to do “normal” things. That included getting mom in the shower. We are staying in a handicapped “accessible” room. It is really set up quite well. The bathroom and shower area accommodates either mom’s walker or […]
Accept, Access, Action
Today I listened to the Palm Sunday homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz. He did a great job of wrapping up the reflections of the past 5 weeks of Lent based on the book, “He Leadeth Me” by Fr. Walter Ciszek. The whole series is based on surrendering our lives to God. That includes acknowledging that […]
Appreciating Our Women
Mom’s had a very rough week and we’re all exhausted. Earlier in the morning, a CNA came and got her ready for the day. She ate about half her breakfast and went back to bed, where she stayed most of the day. In the afternoon, the cleaning lady came and did a wonderful job. It […]
NICU Blessing
One of mom’s Hospice nurses came this morning and gave her a nice shower. I am so grateful for these ladies. Afterwards she was heading out to see her pediatric patients. I asked how hard or sad that must be. She said it is important to have the right frame of mind. She told me […]
Jesus You Take Over
I wish so badly that I could alleviate all my mom’s suffering. Truth is I can’t. Nor can the doctors or nurses or people who come to help. Neither can the medications that were created by incredibly knowledgeable people. This morning’s meditation on part of the surrender novena spoke to my heart. Jesus said, “Does […]
Help With Anxiety
My mother had a very challenging afternoon. Even with additional medications, she was anxious and distressed. It made me sad because yesterday I was feeling relieved that she was happier. That’s just how it goes. I was very grateful that a caregiver was here this afternoon. At one point she read today’s reflection from Jesus […]
Just Happier
We have been having a difficult time managing medications for my mom. One drug will cause unwanted side effects, then another would be added or increased to counter act that. And there are many medications that interact with the Parkinson’s disease and that specific medication. I am certainly not a fan of adding more and […]
Mistake or Grace
I admit I do have a problem with trying to be perfect. When I was younger, I thought if I made a mistake, that meant I wasn’t good enough. Now, however, especially caring for my mom, I don’t want to do anything that will harm her, or make the situation worse. Today in the continued […]
Still Finding God 