Filtering my thoughts and words isn’t easy and it doesn’t always turn out pretty. They often come pouring from my mind through my mouth like a coffee maker without a filter. (Sipping on coffee grounds is simply unpleasant!) I’ve improved over time and I always work to reflect the Lord, but I have certainly not arrived. I can act refined with proper statements and politeness, but underlying what … [Read more...]
Our Social Life is a “Package Deal”
Sometimes I ask myself “What social life!??!” and I’m guessing if you’re a caregiver for someone, you’ve asked yourself that same question. The truth is…a social life is really difficult—for us and for our loved one. We haven’t done research, but in our own life there have been few people to include us as a couple with our son. Besides family, I can probably think of 5 families/situations … [Read more...]
I’m Leaving My Child Behind!
Be honest. Even if you didn’t say that out loud, you’ve thought it at least once! Yet, the primary “care-giver” really does have the need to leave home, leave town, and leave their child behind from time to time. Perhaps we need to leave our child behind (not in the sense that they’re taking off for good), but in the sense that something else besides our child is calling for our attention. Maybe … [Read more...]
I Feel Like Quitting Motherhood!
Sad but true; some days I just feel like quitting. For nearly 35 years I’ve been caring for our son who has special needs (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delays, mental handicaps, and lots of allergies (some severe and possibly fatal, namely peanuts). Both my husband and I are on watch all the time. Where is he? What is he eating? What can he eat from what is being … [Read more...]
Table for 3, Please!
We thought our retirement years would allow for some nice romantic dinners for 2 and while it wasn’t where we saw ourselves in our early marriage, somehow all these years later, we think a romantic dinner for 3 works for us. We’ve come to realize that sometimes, if we want to get out for dinner, we simply must make the effort to go, and take our adult son with special needs along. It wasn’t plan … [Read more...]
Not HOW but WHY
How many times have you and I have been asked, “HOW DO you do it?” We’d be rich if we had a dime for every time we’ve been asked that … right? Here is how I used to answer: Oh, the Lord gives me strength, just when I need it. We all learn to do what we’ve been called to do. You do what ya gotta do. Who else is going to do it? (Ok, that has a little attitude attached, can you … [Read more...]