Well said - again - Linda! I can so relate to your words. Caregiving is the hardest lesson I’ve ever learned (am learning!) about servanthood. It feels never ending (in the moment) but I know it’s temporary and the day will come when I will berate myself for not doing more. We need a ton of grace!
Setting boundaries on those closest to us is tricky business. I don't profess to have mastered it.
Your post brought me back to my mom's slow and personally taxing death. When there was no more they could do, but turn off the power, she became angry, as if I was trying to single handedly take her out. No, it was her appointed time. God decided that before her first breath, not me. She fought hard to the very end. When she finally breathed her last, I took a moment to soak in the reality. She was really gone and I could finally breathe myself. Sometimes I miss her when there's something I want to share that only she could remember. But, mostly I'm relieved she's made it to heaven, where all her physical and emotional pain has been healed. It will be fun to be with her one day, without the mother and daughter drama. When my dad passed two years ago, it was hard, but just a tad easier. I shared those last months with his then wife. I feel for you. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, plus setting some reasonable boundaries, did I survive their deaths. I may have overdone it on the carbs too:)
Stress makes me kind of anorexic, but when I'm calm and happy, I am all about carbs. I didn't have much of a relationship with Mom until she moved here 4 years before her death. My sister checked out on helping, so I was it for all that time. I hated/loved getting closer to her. She was a very good pianist and we sang together, my best memory. She was very proud of me since she wanted to be a novelist herself. Thank you for reading my work--I think a lot of us are in that caregiver phase of life. Love and hugs,
Linda, thanks for this. Great writing and meaningful. I love the way reading your stuff makes me feel like I’ve spoken with you. Let’s do that soon. I think of you often and am sending love.
I miss you (& Mel too) but however whenever you get down this way, I'm there. Let me take you to lunch. My Nate works at Marche or we could go to Cornucopia. Sending big love from little me, Linda
Oh Linda, you have been SO in my mind and heart. Thank you for so fearlessly (seeming) expressing these conundrums many of us face. I especially like your line about wanting to love as much as possible; that really says it all.
Well said - again - Linda! I can so relate to your words. Caregiving is the hardest lesson I’ve ever learned (am learning!) about servanthood. It feels never ending (in the moment) but I know it’s temporary and the day will come when I will berate myself for not doing more. We need a ton of grace!
Mel,
Indeed, we need to order grace by the truckload. Love and miss you! ~Linda
Setting boundaries on those closest to us is tricky business. I don't profess to have mastered it.
Your post brought me back to my mom's slow and personally taxing death. When there was no more they could do, but turn off the power, she became angry, as if I was trying to single handedly take her out. No, it was her appointed time. God decided that before her first breath, not me. She fought hard to the very end. When she finally breathed her last, I took a moment to soak in the reality. She was really gone and I could finally breathe myself. Sometimes I miss her when there's something I want to share that only she could remember. But, mostly I'm relieved she's made it to heaven, where all her physical and emotional pain has been healed. It will be fun to be with her one day, without the mother and daughter drama. When my dad passed two years ago, it was hard, but just a tad easier. I shared those last months with his then wife. I feel for you. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, plus setting some reasonable boundaries, did I survive their deaths. I may have overdone it on the carbs too:)
Karen,
Stress makes me kind of anorexic, but when I'm calm and happy, I am all about carbs. I didn't have much of a relationship with Mom until she moved here 4 years before her death. My sister checked out on helping, so I was it for all that time. I hated/loved getting closer to her. She was a very good pianist and we sang together, my best memory. She was very proud of me since she wanted to be a novelist herself. Thank you for reading my work--I think a lot of us are in that caregiver phase of life. Love and hugs,
Linda
I appreciate your genuineness.
Linda, thanks for this. Great writing and meaningful. I love the way reading your stuff makes me feel like I’ve spoken with you. Let’s do that soon. I think of you often and am sending love.
Heather,
Thank you for such kind words.
I miss you (& Mel too) but however whenever you get down this way, I'm there. Let me take you to lunch. My Nate works at Marche or we could go to Cornucopia. Sending big love from little me, Linda
Oh Linda, you have been SO in my mind and heart. Thank you for so fearlessly (seeming) expressing these conundrums many of us face. I especially like your line about wanting to love as much as possible; that really says it all.
Yours, LNBB
LNBB,
A lot of the time, I'm faceplanting on all this stuff. Thank goodness I have a friend like you who will listen to my whining!
Stay Well!
Much Love,
Linda