Caregiving.. Be Encouraged

My journaled Thoughts... shared because I feel there may be  

someone out there who is walkin this same road.  Someone who is feelin this way too. 

Maybe you just  need to hear ... you're doing a good job.  

Just breathe... 

Everything is gonna  be alright. 

No matter what 

-----------------------------------

It's happening.  

I hear it in her voice ... in her heart

when she  rings me up or texts throughout the day with the need to get it all off her heavy chest.

Her sweet Mama  beginning to fade before her very eyes. 

She asks me questions...

 "Did your Mama do this?" 

 "Did you ever have to  bathe her... or

 ...  clean her up?"  

I can feel the pain  while I listen...

 I have worn those boots and...

 I've walked in them. 

It's okay I reassure. 

 You're doing really good... 

you're  such  a good and loving  daughter!  

I hear the quaking  in her breath when I say that.

I hear her uncertainty.    

And she just really needed to hear it...  

You ARE  loving her so well just by being there. 

No you're not doing anything wrong...  

You are helping and you're making things easier. 

It's okay.

(She sighs.) 

 After a long weekend of it all ... I know she 

 wants to run away... and  feels guilty for even feeling like that.  

Her time is spent ... -- she is spent.  

Hours upon hours.. of both their lives so very changed.  

Their  roles have reversed. 

The Mama who used to take care of the daughter... 

is now the daughter taking care of Mama.  

 I remembered the guilt I once felt too ... because after days spent with my own Mama...  there were things I knew I was neglecting at home... especially my husband. He was so good about it all.. and helpful.  But  you want to be in two places at once... and it's impossible.  I remember that angst and I  could feel the gut wrench in my friend's words. 

She spilled out the messy things she's  had to tend to... 

She just needed to talk it all out... to share.  

Bodily functions she  never thought she'd  have to clean up let alone see.  

Her Mama's  forgetfulness scares her... "will she forget even me?".. ....she wonders..

and she worries. 

 She doesn't want this. 

 Not any of this.    

I don't know my friend... but even if she does forget... all your love together is still there inside of you both. 

And one day God will make allllllllllllllllllllllll things new.  

It's okay to feel this way.  

You're human. 

 Just breathe.

 There are times you just gotta stop 

step back...

let yourself cry. 

 Let it all out.   

And just breathe awhile.  

Sit and be still.  

Breathe and slow way down.  

Tell God every thing because... He sees you.  

In the muck of it all... 

He cares.  And He is right beside you in both in all of this.  

Trust Him to carry you both.  

Focus on all the love.  

And love with your every little thing.  

Coz that is how you are ... you love  beautifully!!!!!! 

 I know first hand... ...  and so just keep doing that.  

Just try to make the most of things and  

-the best of things.  

She  breathes easier ... thinking of her God being with her. 

Because He is.  She is NOT alone. 

She  rises ....  and I can hear it.  

I can actually hear the rising in her voice.  

God strengthening  her.  

Love strengthening her.  

Because it's all about the love and it's always been 

all about the love.  

I pray that every moment they have together is blessed.  

I pray for them  both to feel soooooooooooo much love.  

I pray  she  focuses on what they both have now... 

To just do today.  And after that the... next right thing. 

To beable to just keep doing that.  One day...

 one moment 

at a time.     

I pray for His peace ... that surpasses all understanding... 

And for the warmth in their sweet embraces.

... those precious Mama hugs.  

I pray for her Mama's  pain to be eased: 

I pray for her dignity. 

 I pray for her  physically and mentally.

Help her Lord.  

Heavenly Father please take care of my friend. 

And all my other sisters  out there walking this same rocky road.   

And help me to be a good friend. 

 Show me ways to best help.  

...how to listen well... 

to encourage .

I love you God... and thank you for my beautiful friend.

and her sweet Mama.  Thank you for crossing all our paths 

 and for the so many blessed moments shared.

Thank you our  Immanuel. 

God with us.  

amen.