The wonder of it is, finding and using a more loving language is something we can all do, here and now, to make the world more beautiful.
Step Twelve, Whole, Not Hole
AA’s Step Twelve: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” This meant being present in the moment, right here, right now, maybe not all of the time, however, more and more of the time. (Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions)
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Sweet Dreams, aka taking care of caregiver
It hadn’t made sense to get mad at the kids for disrupted sleep, nor did it make sense to get irritated with Mom. I just had to make a plan to get some shut-eye and stick with it.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
“Wicked Good” – the Blessing of Old Friends
As my concern for Berry the Beagle grew, my childhood friend Kathy dropped in, offering to hang with Mom while I took Berry to the animal hospital. A couple days later I met my childhood friend Nancy at the mall. We laughed so hard the back of my head throbbed. I needed to work on whatever those muscles were. I had a feeling I’d need ’em.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
A-yuh, aka “Do you even go to church?”
While I respected that church was the best way for some to worship, it wasn’t the only way. I was grateful for all the diverse experiences that had helped me develop a faith that guided me daily and set me free.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Step Eleven, I Am Not Alone
AA’s Step Eleven: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power, praying only for knowledge of our Higher Power’s will for us and the power to carry that out.” When I’m feeling anxious and need a hand to hold, I can hold my own. Then I’ll find my hands are joined in prayer, and I am not alone. (Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions)
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Green Monster of the Midwest, aka “How time flies…”
Over the past seventeen years, Mike and his wife Jen had become dear friends – neighbors first, family later. All that was left to say was a deep-felt thank you to them and all our Midwest friends. I hoped our friendships would endure.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Healing as We Go – UTIs and Mohs Nose, Mom and Me
As my spouse and I drove 1400 miles to Maine where we’d set up shop for Mom and Cinnamon to join us, I tried to be brave, to count my lucky stars, to practice my faith. Fingers crossed, in prayer and gratitude.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Step Ten, “Progress Not Perfection”
AA’s Step Ten: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” These days, with how Mom’s Alzheimer’s anchors her in the moment, I’m grateful for how this slogan and Step Ten help me stay right here with her. (Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions)
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Glad to be Acadia Manset’s Granddaughter
Sorting through Grammy’s records, I discovered she’d written under the pen name Acadia Manset, for her favorite haunts in Maine. The way she’d cared for her aging mother, Dora, inspired me to care for my mom like she had, in the sanctity of our home.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
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