Caring for others . . . simply real life!

     It has be a while since I posted, and that is because I got a call on July 4th that my mom was taken to ER and admitted to the hospital.  Michael and I quickly rescheduled our plane reservations (we were coming over for a few weeks later in July), threw clothes in a suitcase and got on a plane from Hawaii to California.  We spent the next few days helping to make sure Mom had someone from the family with her at the hospital 24 hrs a day.  We also helped with chores and cleaning on their small ranch.
     Over the past two weeks, my mom has been back over to the hospital three times, and was admitted again last night.  She is a fighter, and not quite ready to leave this Earth - but has a strong Christian faith and believes everything in God's timing!  Yesterday my dad came down with a cold and needed to use his oxygen more, and one of the horses had to be taken to the equine hospital for colitis!  To say it was an eventful day is putting it mildly!!!!  My day started at 6:00 am and ended at midnight . . .
     If you know someone who is providing care for a parent, sibling, or child - take a moment and give them a hug, provide a meal or house/yard care service, give them a shoulder and neck rub, bring them flowers or their favorite coffee/drink of choice.   It can mean so much!
     Advocate or write letters to your representatives about this, as there is a lot of work currently being done at the state and federal government level to recognize the sacrifices caregivers have to make with work and personal life to provide care to family members.  The idea of "home being the best environment" can have serious financial, physical and mental health consequences on the person providing the care if they don't have a good support system.  Talking with others in the same situations helps to build knowledge of what is available out there to help.  Finding the right doctor, getting necessary equipment and furniture, learning the balance needed for nutrition, exercise and medicine all help in these situations.  Also, realizing and accepting "you have to take time to take care of yourself, so you can care for someone else!" can help with the stress involved in this situation.

Caring for others . . . simply real life!