One Year Later (Missing Mom-Mom)

Here we are. . .

It's one year later & I'm grateful that she didn't have to question my love before she left. In her last few years, she forgot my name and age (and the fact that we lived together) but she was quick to call me "such a sweet girl." <3

Living with and caring for someone dealing with dementia and/or Alzheimer's Disease definitely has its challenges and share of frustrations. Over time, my frustration turned into gratitude. I was grateful even though my family & I had to shape our schedules around my grandmother's needs! I was grateful that she was able to live with us, as long as she did... until she needed to be permanently moved into a nursing home! I was grateful that I had multiple (family) friends working at the nursing home- who I knew would look out for her!

After she moved into the nursing home, my parents and I picked specific days that we each would go visit her, in addition to weekly family visits. My day was WEDNESDAY. Well. . . this time/last year, I had returned from a trip to Alabama when my parents told me that her health was deteriorating. I made sure I didn't skip my weekly visit but on Friday-May 1st, I felt a strong urge to visit her and tell her (as always) how much my family and I loved her.

I didn't know whether or not my words registered. I was almost afraid to touch her. Yet, I stood by her bed, kissed her cheek, told her I loved her, and started to cry. After a while, I got myself together and left.

I am so glad that I made that extra visit because it ended up being the last time that we saw each other.

If there's any lesson that I could leave with you, it would be-> be intentional when it comes to love!

Let your friends and family members KNOW how you feel- through your actions! I can't tell you how many times I signed in/out of the nursing home and never saw anyone visiting some of the residents! It got to the point where I would learn their names and have random conversations with them because I didn't want them to feel so isolated.

Everyone needs love! And if you're in a position to share it, go ahead!

While she was living, that's exactly what she did! Even as her memory began to fade, she would smile and try to sing songs that reflected God's Love for us.

Mom-Mom. . . thank you so much for showing me how to Love God, myself, and others! And thank You, LORD, for allowing me to experience her love!

Comments

The Unexpected Temptation

I know. . . It's been time for me to write something new.🙈 However, coming across this video from Jackie Hill Perry to prompted me to actually get this post out. One line pierced my heart. "When you have a gift that involves words, one of the ways the enemy will tempt you is to be silent." Wow! I hone stly think silence is one of the last things that comes to mind when people think of temptation. According to Oxford Languages, the definition of temptation is the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. I can hear someone asking, "How can silence be wrong or unwise?" Oh. . . Hold on for just a minute and it will come together. There are times when our obedience [to speak] may be the key to someone else's blessing . Your words and actions could essentially provide healing for your brother or sister in Christ! In the book of Revelation, we read, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.....

Let It Go {One Year of Freedom}

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) **If you don't get anything else out of this post, I pray that you realize. . . you really can do all things through Christ - especially when your desire is to please Him! He will strengthen you to walk uprightly before Him.** ---------- Believe me when I say. . . Knowing what you need to do is very different from actually doing it. Sometimes it is difficult to do what we know is right. That's where I found myself, in November and December of 2022. Let me take you back. . . As a single woman (just in case anybody needs clarification 😉), I was opening myself up to meeting guys and getting to know them when I crossed paths with Royal . Initially, we seemed to have quite a few things in common: faith, a desire to serve our communities, a strong love for our families, and. . . a way with words. (*insert face...

7 Revelations for 37

I really was trying to get through this birthday- well- get away with not writing anything specific, but all of a sudden, ideas started flowing. So. . . Here are 7 Revelations that I am trying to be mindful of as I go through Year 37. 1. Proverbs 4:23 is a command (not a suggestion). It reads, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life (AMP)." Other translations say to keep or guard your heart. . . In other words, be selective and protect it. Watch what you allow to enter your heart. Seeds may be planted by various circumstances, people with whom you interact, etc. but you do not need to allow everything to take root. Things like bitterness, frustration, and envy will try to find a home within you. Beware: Whatever you allow to take root in your heart will be reflected through your actions! 2. This goes right with Point #1. Be willing to have uncomfortable conversations. Clearing the air can also help to keep your heart [and spirit] c...

Kara's Soft Words

Search This Blog