chockey
03-14-07, 01:45 PM
There is part of each person who is faced with something or someone that causes your life to be redirected and pulls you from your normal life style. As you redirect your efforts to face this challenge you might feel that you wish that this never happened. Regardless of what you are asked or required to do, there are questions as to why this happened and am why I’m being challenged, to see what type of person you might be.
Be careful of what you ask for, YOU MIGHT GET IT!
<o:p> </o:p>
Listen to your children, share you time with loved ones, give that little extra when you think there is nothing more to give, listen with open ears without trying to come-up with an answer. Share a smile, hugs can lift a person’s spirit, look into a person eyes when speaking to them, and let them know you care. It only takes a moment yet the rewards have no limit.
<o:p> </o:p>
So, you are wondering as to why I’m writing this.
<o:p> </o:p>
My wife’s mother passed away in 2001 and we decided to spend some evenings with her dad to ease some of the emptiness. We found that seeing the world through his eyes and understanding his place in life was a life changing experience. Yes there were times when we needed to be someplace else but how do you leave a loved one to an empty day and evening. We decided that vacations were not as important as being with dad, nor were some social events.
<o:p> </o:p>
We made dad part of our everyday life yet gave him the privacy of his own home which kept him fairly independent. He truly enjoyed the daily lunches and dinners with him yet realizing the loss of his wife could not be filled. We did his home repairs as he was no longer able to do them and there were so many other things we did with and for him.
<o:p> </o:p>
When his illness grasped his dignity we stood by him and remained his care giver. We thought about how much we had done for but it was quite the reverse as he was the one giving us the lesson on life. We felt we knew how to care about someone but he taught us how to care more. We thought we were sharing our time with us but in fact he was sharing his time with us. We expressed our dreams but he put a value on how dreams can be an everyday happening through the eyes of an elderly parent. We realized that being smart is a life’s lesson and an accumulation of experiences.
<o:p> </o:p>
I cannot deny that there were times when we wanted to go on vacation or have an evening to ourselves and yes at times we felt that we were doing too much. BUT dad has passed away and now the times are very empty and there is such a big hole in our lives, you never realize what you have til it’s gone so, be careful of what you ask for, YOU MIGHT GET IT!
<o:p> </o:p>
I’m not looking for replies or condolences’ but to share in that when you feel you have been there for a loved one, be there more. When the times feel that they are consuming your life, time is actually slipping away. Live each day like it’s your last and share each moment, you never know as it could be that special moment you waited a lifetime for.
<o:p> </o:p>
We have no regrets and there are so many wonderful times we look back on that can never be repeated but we had the chance to live them once, don’t miss yours.
Be careful of what you ask for, YOU MIGHT GET IT!
<o:p> </o:p>
Listen to your children, share you time with loved ones, give that little extra when you think there is nothing more to give, listen with open ears without trying to come-up with an answer. Share a smile, hugs can lift a person’s spirit, look into a person eyes when speaking to them, and let them know you care. It only takes a moment yet the rewards have no limit.
<o:p> </o:p>
So, you are wondering as to why I’m writing this.
<o:p> </o:p>
My wife’s mother passed away in 2001 and we decided to spend some evenings with her dad to ease some of the emptiness. We found that seeing the world through his eyes and understanding his place in life was a life changing experience. Yes there were times when we needed to be someplace else but how do you leave a loved one to an empty day and evening. We decided that vacations were not as important as being with dad, nor were some social events.
<o:p> </o:p>
We made dad part of our everyday life yet gave him the privacy of his own home which kept him fairly independent. He truly enjoyed the daily lunches and dinners with him yet realizing the loss of his wife could not be filled. We did his home repairs as he was no longer able to do them and there were so many other things we did with and for him.
<o:p> </o:p>
When his illness grasped his dignity we stood by him and remained his care giver. We thought about how much we had done for but it was quite the reverse as he was the one giving us the lesson on life. We felt we knew how to care about someone but he taught us how to care more. We thought we were sharing our time with us but in fact he was sharing his time with us. We expressed our dreams but he put a value on how dreams can be an everyday happening through the eyes of an elderly parent. We realized that being smart is a life’s lesson and an accumulation of experiences.
<o:p> </o:p>
I cannot deny that there were times when we wanted to go on vacation or have an evening to ourselves and yes at times we felt that we were doing too much. BUT dad has passed away and now the times are very empty and there is such a big hole in our lives, you never realize what you have til it’s gone so, be careful of what you ask for, YOU MIGHT GET IT!
<o:p> </o:p>
I’m not looking for replies or condolences’ but to share in that when you feel you have been there for a loved one, be there more. When the times feel that they are consuming your life, time is actually slipping away. Live each day like it’s your last and share each moment, you never know as it could be that special moment you waited a lifetime for.
<o:p> </o:p>
We have no regrets and there are so many wonderful times we look back on that can never be repeated but we had the chance to live them once, don’t miss yours.