I try to look for the few silver linings to our Alzheimer's clouds. As Pa Ingalls said, "There's no great ill that doesn't bring some small good..."
Here's my latest:
I'm trying to do my Christmas shopping in July this year--a first ever for me. I ordered a beautifully painted sign for Mom that says, "Amazing Grace." When it came I was unable to keep from showing it to her, figuring I'd go ahead and put it up for her now and buy another gift for her to have in December. She loved the sign! She ooohed and aaaahhhed over it and we planned where to hang it. It was the most pleasant interchange we'd had for awhile. I took it back to my part of the house thinking I'd put it up later but didn't get it done. A few days later I took it in to Mom again, and, not remembering that she'd ever seen it before, she had the exact wonderful reaction! I loved seeing her loving it! A plan hatched in my brain--I can multiply the joy of gift giving by presenting this one gift every week or so until Mom wises up to me...and I can then wrap it up and give it to her for Christmas! Talk about getting my money's worth out of that gift...we both get to enjoy it so much more because of Mom's AD! Just a little joy multiplied, but there's my silver lining for the day.
I posted this story at the Caregiver's forum at the Alzheimer's Association's message boards, and one lady commented, "Truly the gift that keeps on giving! :)"
Scripture:
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
This made me laugh and cry. The gift that keeps on giving could refer both to the actual gift and the wisdom of having the attitude of "silver linning" living.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI love the quote in the first paragraph! It's so true. I'm Hua, the director of Wellsphere's HealthBlogger Network, a network of over 2,000 of the best health writers on the web (including doctors, nurses, healthy living professionals, and expert patients). I think your blog would be a great addition to the Network, and I'd like to invite you to learn more about it and apply to join at http://www.wellsphere.com/health-blogger. Once approved by our Chief Medical Officer, your posts will be republished on Wellsphere where they will be available to over 5 million monthly visitors who come to the site looking for health information and support. There’s no cost and no extra work for you! The HealthBlogger page (http://www.wellsphere.com/health-blogger) provides details about participation, but if you have any questions please feel free to email me at hua@wellsphere.com.
Best,
Hua
I love reading your blogs. Wish you could write more, but realize how busy you must be.
ReplyDeleteJenny K
Jenny K, thank you. My area of ministry is in helping people (myself included) who must make the transition from former roles to the new roles of caregiver and patient. As my mama says, "It ain't easy, breezy!" If you are in need of this kind of help, check out my web site at http://www.godmomandme.com. The publishing company tells me now that my book will be out in November. It contains 100 readings that are based on the wonderful guidance and help the Lord provided Mom and me as we became caregiver and patient. God bless you, and thank you for your kind comment.
ReplyDelete