This really began in the fall of 1985 however just as with
much of life I certainly could not foresee today.
my grandma Cannon & my dad - many years before 1985...
My grandma Cannon got sick.
My mom tells me now that some thought it was a mini stroke but whatever
the case the children were staying with her each day and night. Since my dad lived 2 hours from her home the
weekends were his assignment. I do not
remember how many weekends we went to her home but I do remember one. I remember sleeping on the couch and my
parents helping my grandmother. I had
just recently gotten engaged to Kerry and the engagement ring offered some
visual comfort in this strange setting of caring for a grandmother.
I grew up visiting the elderly. In our small church in Perrin we went to the
nursing home in Jacksboro many times – maybe even once a month. We would sing, walk from room to room, and
talk to the residents as if we knew them.
I do not remember knowing any of them personally – I just remember that
visiting never bothered me.
One of my dad’s sisters went to live in a nursing home. She had Alzheimer’s. I loved visiting Aunt Mary when she lived
next door to my grandmother – I loved visiting my Aunt Mary when she lived in
the home. That was the home my
grandmother eventually lived in.
My other grandmother lived in a nursing home for the entire
time that I knew her. That was in
Madison, Nebraska and it was an amazing home.
Very clean, very friendly, very much responsible for taking care of our
family members.
That is not always the case.
Nursing homes aren’t always the best place – just sometimes they are the
only place. I am just not ready for my
parents to live in a place that is not their home…..
As I have shared before my dad has dementia. As with this illness we truly have no idea
what the prognosis is from day to day. I
do know that having a spouse with dementia certainly presents wear and tear on
the life that doesn’t have the illness.
my parents just last year....
So in order to give both of my parents a quality of life
that they truly deserve – we decided they needed more help in their home. A help that could give my mom some relief – a
help that understood the elderly – a help that they knew and would immediately
feel comfortable with – a help that was ready to serve them – a help that could
give back as they had been giving for 49 years to her – a help they love – a
help that loves them.
my dad, me, my mom - Father's Day 2013
We often say it takes a village to raise a child. I believe it takes a village to grow old
gracefully and with dignity.
Now my career is Servant.
Servant for 3 scheduled days a week for those people who gave
me a family & home 49 years ago.
Servant (with a huge learning curve) to the family that
became mine when I married. Do you have
any idea how difficult it is to learn a new language? Especially a language composed of PVC fittings, THHN, conduit, filters,
American Standard, Rheem, sweep, 90, 45, accounts receivable, accounts payable,
ESC, Quickbooks, - and my list is so
incredibly long! I now have the joy of
serving at my husband’s office 2 days a week.
And I also can be a better Servant in my home. Even though this new career has only been in
place for 10 days – I already feel more at peace – more focused on Him – more
focused on helping others.
Of course one must have tools for this new career! Just like the village will have diaper bags
for the children – in this village I have a tote bag for DJ & Grandad’s.
His mercies.
New.
Every morning.
Great IS his
faithfulness.
Note: Now that I have time that is better suited
for writing – I plan to write for Grace4Greta and more on
Prepare2Prosper.org. My closet is FULL
of books and I have many on being a servant…..
I think that is where Prepare2Prosper needs to begin …. Again! Be sure to visit prepare2prosper.org
Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.
