Struggles

Painful Yet Productive

Since we had the floors replaced in my parents’ room, we decided it was the time to sort through everything in there. Some of the items were painful memories of my dad’s time in the memory care center. Getting things ready to donate was also a sorrowful reminder that my mother is no longer here. […]

Staying Strong

Today I spent some time with my brother in law. He’s finishing getting things wrapped up here and will be going back to Florida with my sister permanently. It’s been a long road for them since they decided to purchase a house out there. Things did not exactly go as planned. And of course it […]

Supportive Relationships

Recently there have been some situations that I have really been struggling with. I was blessed today to meet with my counselor, visit with a friend and priest, and pray with my prayer group. I didn’t really intend for that all to be on the same day, but that’s what happened. I guess God knew […]

Keep Me In Your Heart

A friend of mine and her family invited a gentleman to live with them 8 years ago. At the time, he was suffering from COPD and living on his own in a small house in a rough part of town. The doctors said he had about 18 months to live. He had no living family […]

Carrying Our Cross

I prayed a rosary this morning particularly for a friend who is in the hospital. She has been there longer than anticipated and continues to struggle. I came to the 4th sorrowful mystery, which is Jesus carrying the Cross. As I pondered this image, I remembered the scripture from Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all […]

Faith Through Struggles

This afternoon I was able to talk with my neighbor to find out how his wife was doing. She has been in the hospital, having had surgery over a week ago. While she is getting better in one way, she is still struggling in others. He doesn’t yet know when she may be able to […]

Do Not Be Afraid

I have been thinking about what my future is going to look like. I had somewhat thought about what I may want to do after my parents died, and where I might want to be. But now it’s here and it is a big unknown. I listened to the Gospel reading and reflection for Mass […]

God’s Words

My sister and I went to Mass this morning and the scripture readings were so meaningful – as well as the hymns. The theme was that God is with us through all the storms in our lives. After Mass, there was a reception for the beloved priest who came to our house several times and […]

Quality Caregivers

We have struggled for months to get quality, caring, committed caregivers in the house to help care for my mom. Especially as her needs change and she continues to decline, this becomes harder and harder. It makes me hesitant to try new people, but it is necessary as I become more exhausted. Recently we hired […]

Carrying Her Cross

This morning my mom wasn’t feeling very well at all. She surprised me by saying she felt like she was carrying her cross. I agreed. We talked about how everyone has their cross to carry as they make their way home to God. When I got in the car to go to church, I heard […]