Stephanie and Donald
I had a terrible day yesterday. It started out well, with me being able to accomplish much on my "to do" list. But about 11a it all came crashing down. My husband Mark is out of town. So is his brother Bob. Whenever they are gone, the responsibility of making sure my mother-in-law has what she needs and is doing well in her assisted-living residence falls to me. Not normally a big deal.
Unfortunately, yesterday, she woke up in a great deal of pain and couldn't get out of bed. She has a number of health issues which make not getting up out of bed a bad thing. After numerous calls to the nursing staff at the facility and a call to the doctor, it was determined she'd need to go to Urgent Care. Sadly, she was totally incapacitated and not able to walk on her own. Enter Donald, my daughter's fiance! Donald had been the main caregiver for both his mother and grandfather through their final last year or two of life. He is a strong, strapping young man, and he knew just what to do, short of calling an ambulance.
Then, there were the dogs. As most of you know, we have three of our own, and we work in rescue, so there's always a foster with us. I knew going to Urgent Care would be a five or six hour commitment, which would butt right in to doggie playtime and dinner. Enter Stephanie, my daughter. She dropped what she was doing - she runs a boutique publishing company - came right over, played and brushed all the dogs and made sure they had dinner. On top of it, she stayed with them until Donald and I returned home.
With Donald to do all the heavy lifting (getting Mark's Mom in and out of a wheelchair and a car and into the hospital, etc.) and Stephanie taking over my dog responsibilities, I was able to focus on my mother-in-law's health issue at hand.
Why am I burdening you with the trials and tribulations of my day? Because as I said goodbye to Donald and Stephanie, thanking them profusely for their help (after treating them to a nice dinner out), they just looked at me and said: "That's why we're here; it's what family does for each other."
I don't think that can be said enough. And, keep in mind, family isn't just blood; it's those you choose to be a part of it. I have always loved James Taylor's song, "That's why I'm here." Listen to the lyrics.
Now, this is an example of unconditional love. My children could have blown me off. After all, they have lives, responsibilities and commitments. But they dropped everything and came running. That's Why We're Here. Doesn't that strike you as downright beautiful?
I think my mother-in-law summed it up beautifully. Her words: "It's so nice to have people who care."
So the next time your family or friends need you, don't forget that's why you're here.
Til Next Time
Carol
Unfortunately, yesterday, she woke up in a great deal of pain and couldn't get out of bed. She has a number of health issues which make not getting up out of bed a bad thing. After numerous calls to the nursing staff at the facility and a call to the doctor, it was determined she'd need to go to Urgent Care. Sadly, she was totally incapacitated and not able to walk on her own. Enter Donald, my daughter's fiance! Donald had been the main caregiver for both his mother and grandfather through their final last year or two of life. He is a strong, strapping young man, and he knew just what to do, short of calling an ambulance.
Then, there were the dogs. As most of you know, we have three of our own, and we work in rescue, so there's always a foster with us. I knew going to Urgent Care would be a five or six hour commitment, which would butt right in to doggie playtime and dinner. Enter Stephanie, my daughter. She dropped what she was doing - she runs a boutique publishing company - came right over, played and brushed all the dogs and made sure they had dinner. On top of it, she stayed with them until Donald and I returned home.
With Donald to do all the heavy lifting (getting Mark's Mom in and out of a wheelchair and a car and into the hospital, etc.) and Stephanie taking over my dog responsibilities, I was able to focus on my mother-in-law's health issue at hand.
Why am I burdening you with the trials and tribulations of my day? Because as I said goodbye to Donald and Stephanie, thanking them profusely for their help (after treating them to a nice dinner out), they just looked at me and said: "That's why we're here; it's what family does for each other."
I don't think that can be said enough. And, keep in mind, family isn't just blood; it's those you choose to be a part of it. I have always loved James Taylor's song, "That's why I'm here." Listen to the lyrics.
Now, this is an example of unconditional love. My children could have blown me off. After all, they have lives, responsibilities and commitments. But they dropped everything and came running. That's Why We're Here. Doesn't that strike you as downright beautiful?
I think my mother-in-law summed it up beautifully. Her words: "It's so nice to have people who care."
So the next time your family or friends need you, don't forget that's why you're here.
Til Next Time
Carol
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