When life handed me the responsibility of caring for someone with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, it forgot to give me an instruction manual. I am unprepared, stressed and often emotional, having often to cope with these burdensome physical demands. My life has changed drastically regarding both family and social issues. I often feel unable to cope with this huge chore, almost 24 hours of every day, seven days a week I’m with mom-in-law and responsible for her. I leave my plans behind to meet her needs. This care giving business is in fact a long-term commitment and I often wonder whether I’ll succeed. There are days when I’m sad for my mother-in-law, and always I feel tremendous grief at seeing her waste away like this, a butterfly with broken wings. There are also times when I think “I hate this … I can’t take it anymore!” I sometimes resent the fact that I have had to put my life on hold and neglect my own needs so that I can cope with someone else’s needs. But on those days it seems that God is aware of my struggles and gives me the strength to go on. When I become overwhelmed at the hugeness of this responsibility I try not to look at the whole picture, instead I break the job into small chores. I change the sheets and make up the bed without thinking about what comes next. Afterwards I focus on the next task. I take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time.
I am so grateful for my sense of humour. It helps to relieve a lot of tension and anyway laughing is good for everyone physically and makes us feel better.
God has given me this responsibility; He could have given this task to someone else, but somehow he saw some kind of quality in me that he thought was good and placed her in my care so that she would not be alone in this gruelling challenge.
So far I think that I haven’t done a bad job. I have discovered a lot about myself that I didn’t know was there. I’ve discovered that I have a great capacity for love and sacrifice; I have strength of character and staying power. I am thankful that God has given me this opportunity to grow in character and spiritual depth.
Finally my new year’s message to you:
Never waste the chances that this New Year provides you. Wake up each day with the knowledge that you have the power to make the day into anything that you want it to be. It’s not that there won’t be stressful situations put in your way; it’s saying to yourself that you have a choice of how to react to those situations. A positive attitude and a happy smile can do so much to brighten the lives of those around you.
Happy New Year and May 2007 be a Blessed one.
In South Africa today security plays a vital part in any business or private home. This book and the volumes to follow, will guide you step by step through the essential precautionary measures to be taken in protecting your family and valuables. From employing security guards, evacuation of your site and security measures to burglar bars and alarms in your private home.
a Book compiled by me from experience gained after 10 years in the security industry as Industrial relations officer with Nosa qualifications, 1st Aid, fire protection and also S.O.B. grade A.
Print this article
Show the next latest work
