Reflections of a Daughter of the Silent Generation and Mother of Generation Y
I worried when Mom died, we might lose Cinnamon too. Then, somewhere along the way, she reset her sights. It was as if the love we’d given her as a puppy, she gave to Mom during their life together, and all the love Mom gave her during that time, Cinnamon was passing on to us now.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
I was especially grateful for the wisdom and support I received from so many places, including Mom – she may have forgotten some things due to Alzheimer’s, however there was an awful lot else she still reminded me to appreciate.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
In response to the carpenter’s “this place is jinxed,” I chose Paradiso blue for the upstairs floor. Thank God for humor, animals, friendship and faith for keeping me on track; those, and Mom, who was not one bit superstitious and who knew paradise when she saw it, even with one eye.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
How could we be so blessed a third time around? He’s so many things…among them a constant reminder that this is not a limited supply of love and beauty we are dealing with, it’s an endless one.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
According to the sign out front of a local church, “THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING. BE SURE TO MAKE TIME FOR GOD.” My middle square – “Spirituality and Faith” was a great place to start!
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Speak quietly with confidence, no need to yell.
Speak quietly with confidence, ‘til then listen well.
Don’t speak out of turn, when it’s not mine to learn.
Let them hold their own, now that they’re grown.
Forgive myself, I meant no harm.
Living learning, here on the farm.
(February 13, 2015)
—from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
I never expected that our eldest would come home to live between college and graduate school. I was going to miss her and l looked forward to the next time she’d land back home, whatever the duration.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
If our dog Bubby Blue made the rules, here’s what she’d say: See a treat? Go ahead and eat.
Want to swim? Jump on in.
Hungry? Help yourself.
See a stranger? Bark.
Don’t hold grudges, it’s a waste of time.
Tired? Take a nap.
Lonely? Get a hug.
Got an itch? Let someone scratch it.
Need to poop? Poop.
Just keep wagging your tail, and you’ll be fine.
Never give up… it’s the little things in life that make it worth living.
—from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
