Caregiving
I've been neglectful of y'all for a little bit. Shock of Mom's death has lifted and grief is trying to settle in. I'm lucky we have many photos, notes, voicemails. I so totally recommend recording - I have about 2-3 hours of voice recording - Mom and me together - looking at photos, and talking, laughing, giggling, reminiscing. Crocheting together - well, Mom trying to teach me. I made the recordings afraid at some point she would not remember who I am, now I listen to them as she's gone.
If you haven't yet spent time recording - either audio or video (or both) - do it now. You won't regret it. I wish I had done more, I turned my phone on record and let it sit on the table while we looked through photo albums, made popcorn together, talking about the color shades of yarn, her and Dad's early years, our family.
My thoughts are all over the place - so try to follow me here :)
I have to say I'm a dissector of words. Although right now our society sees caregiving almost as a burnden - the way I see the word there is no greater expression of love than caregiving. Love is just a word until and unless expressed.
Synonyms for care - mindfulness, vigilance. Definition - serious attention and thought, protection, affection.
Give - To cause another person to have, to be flexible.
There is no greater gift to offer or to receive. Caregiving is love in its simplest form. I was lucky to be a caregiver to both my mom and my sister. Being long distance challenged me to find ways to support both of them. For my mom, the greatest gift for me to give was to be her daughter. To give her the chance to still be my mom, offering advice, reminding me to eat healthy, not work too hard and get enough sleep. For my sister, I researched everything Alzheimer's and dementia related. Reminded her to get rest and food and find humor.
Right now, well...I'm caregiving for myself. Making sure I still eat healthy, not work too hard and get enough sleep. Oh and find humor.
Kickin' it back over to you sis :)
If you haven't yet spent time recording - either audio or video (or both) - do it now. You won't regret it. I wish I had done more, I turned my phone on record and let it sit on the table while we looked through photo albums, made popcorn together, talking about the color shades of yarn, her and Dad's early years, our family.
My thoughts are all over the place - so try to follow me here :)
I have to say I'm a dissector of words. Although right now our society sees caregiving almost as a burnden - the way I see the word there is no greater expression of love than caregiving. Love is just a word until and unless expressed.
Synonyms for care - mindfulness, vigilance. Definition - serious attention and thought, protection, affection.
Give - To cause another person to have, to be flexible.
There is no greater gift to offer or to receive. Caregiving is love in its simplest form. I was lucky to be a caregiver to both my mom and my sister. Being long distance challenged me to find ways to support both of them. For my mom, the greatest gift for me to give was to be her daughter. To give her the chance to still be my mom, offering advice, reminding me to eat healthy, not work too hard and get enough sleep. For my sister, I researched everything Alzheimer's and dementia related. Reminded her to get rest and food and find humor.
Right now, well...I'm caregiving for myself. Making sure I still eat healthy, not work too hard and get enough sleep. Oh and find humor.
Kickin' it back over to you sis :)