Inspiration...

Via Dolorosa

I always thought I lived in the light,
My parents made sure that my faith stayed bright.
To love each other is easy for me, It makes me happy
when friends I see.
I feel so lucky fo feel God's love, He gave us His
Son and His loving Dove.
To love God is to love your neighbor, When we do this,
it pleases our Savior.
I always smile and feel good inside whenever I think of
Pentecost, The Holy Spirit is always with me whenever I
get lost.
Now that I enter my winter years, The Passion of Christ
brings me to tears.
You suffered so much for my sins-it makes me feel shame.
I ask for your mercy, for I share the blame.
God will measure your love for Him when you can put on
your neighbor's shoes and walk in the way of sorrow.
Everything we do should lead us to the path He shows us,
we are all responsible for each other and His cross we
will borrow. I know just what to do to lighten Your
burden and make You smile, I'll walk in Your footprints
for a hundred miles.
Your cross You embraced will be my plan,
The Via Dolorosa was for every man.

Via Dolorosa
"Way of Sorrows"
Jesus' path of Calvary
By Angelina

I wanted to share this beautiful poem written by the patient I paid a visit to last week. I asked her if she ever wrote anything, she said yes...And to my surprise and delight she shared this with me. She has also written about her grief and other poems that would touch your heart. So much talent out there, we need only ask...

Thank you Angie for sharing your heart...

Having a voice...

Not long ago I wrote about the importance of time. The thought I want to share today is about being heard. It's about having a voice.

We all want to be heard and understood. Most of us don't take the time to listen and really hear what one is trying to say.

My Hospice visit today was not for one that was dying, but for that special someone that was grieving. The one left behind. My patient today was an elderly woman who lost a husband...they had been married for 52 years. A bereavement visit that touched me.

As I approached the front door and was welcomed I was stuck with the stillness and emptiness of this beautiful spacious home. It was the emptiness that I felt the most. As we sat and started to talk and I started to listen...I found a woman that hadn't even had a chance to grieve yet as everything and everybody was surely taking care of everything except her. The funeral went well, all the family was there. She was comforted and told the sometime empty words...This will pass, he went peacefully, you will need to make new friends, etc. Like I said empty words.

What I wanted for her today was to have a voice, so I just sat and listened, by the end of the visit she was in tears, she said, for the first time since her family left. She was now truly alone. But today she had a voice because she had someone that gave her the time and an ear to listen.

I made no empty promises that the grieving would be easy and she would soon feel better. Instead I told her to grieve however she needed to and there is no time limit on grief. That you should never forget that loved one because the truth is...we don't. Sometimes well meaning people are not comfortable with talking about death, but the truth is you don't have to talk about it,you just need to listen. Consider it won't you?

So sometime in the future if you need to be someone's comforter, be just that. Lend an ear, give a hug, and let that someone have a voice. You will one day want to be heard...It is wise if we start listening.

I do not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

A Rose for the caregiver...

Caregiver...according to the Webster Dictionary...a person who provides direct care.

What does that mean? Caregivers are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, nurses, doctors, the list goes on. Caregivers are at the heart of every relationship. A mother takes care of her child, women take care of their husbands, husbands take care of their wives. Caregiving is a very special kind of caring...

Caring for someone is an unselfish act of love and kindness that necessitates a certain type of personality. Always putting others first before themselves. It is
both rewarding...but ultimately exhausting.

In the world of transplant, those waiting for a life changing organ or tissue to enhance or give life are dependent upon others to be their caregivers, to protect and provide care. We must realize that caregivers do become tired and weary and need their own outlets away from our illnesses. Caregivers take care of every physical and emotional illness that abounds in our everyday lives.

We do somehow become defined by our illnesses rather than our own person. It is a struggle within ourselves to come to terms with that and realize that becoming our own caregiver is sometimes a necessity. It is always hard to deal with one's own mortaility or illness. Our own personal strength and growth must come from deep inside ourselves. We must learn to be our own caregiver. And give the caregiver a rest.

How do we become our own caregiver? Not an easy thing to learn or become. We must learn to look inside ourselves and to God for our own blanket of comfort.

One way is to learn to live gently with ourselves and others. Gentle means being kind, considerate, patient and tender. Living gently will create an aura of peace in our lives...a down comforter if you will of support for ourselves and those with whom we are in relationships.

Another way is to face our own imperfections and learn to love ourselves. A difficult task if we have been dedicated to being a perfectionist. But like anything else it takes practice...and learning to be gentle to ourselves is a good start.

So today if you have a caregiver in your life, be sure to thank them for all they do. And if you love them, make sure they have time to nurture themselves so they can continue on with being the gift that they are. A caregiver...

I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we meet them that constitutes our comfort...Elizabeth King

Answered Prayers

In Joyce Meyer's new book "Never Give Up!" the compiled stories of answered prayers is both inspirational and confirming...

The last serious day I had in court with my son was seeing him in a bright orange jumpsuit, shackled and handcuffed and being sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Well that 18 months has come and gone and today, July 17Th, 2009 he had a very different day in court with a very different outcome.

I watched him approaching me while waiting outside of court...I hardly recognized him...Walking toward me in a blue suit, white shirt, and blue stripped tie, and a slight shuffle to his step...He walked tall and proud with his head held high. This was to be his day in court to gain primary custody of his 4 year old son Dylan.

While we waited anxiously to hear the judge's verdict...I took stock of the people in the room. His family, friends and his counselor (who saw Eric at his worst) was here to applaud his efforts and his new found character if called upon. Along with his twin brother, sister, aunts and closet friends all came to show their support and offer their unconditional love.

But it was God in the room this particular morning that paved our way. There was little tension as both sides sat in the same room while the lawyers battled it out.
These of course are the days we pray for. And after being a praying parent for all my children, 15 years of waiting to see a life turned around came to be today. An answered prayer to those who wait on the Lord. Trust and patience are the key words...

The verdict was in our favor...My son has primary custody of his son. And for this mother I could hardly breathe and was overcome with resounding joy. My heart silently wept with gratitude and thankfulness. Our God is an awesome God.

When you grow weary we must remain focused on our prayer life and continue with unceasing prayer. Because miracles do happen. We don't always know when and what the answer will be, but it is God who asks us to trust...So continue to trust and love and be waiting for your miracle...It will all be done in God's time. If not for Eric's generous gift of life (a kidney)I would not be here to see this miracle or tell the story. Thank you again Eric for the gift of life...

And remember "For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God." Saint Teresa...

Time...A Gift ...

Time is the gift I am thankful for today. I thank God everyday for allowing me time to fulfill my purpose and for directing my path.

This week I was reunited with two life long friends who remain connected in my life. Sherri and Otis. These two people filled a purpose in my life. They both taught me to love unconditionally and how to let go of things you cannot change. They both taught me about courage and how to stand strong in the darkest of times.

Thank you both for your time.

When I was very ill and my son was going down the road to hell through his addiction...it was Ottis who helped me keep my sanity and help direct my energy into letting my son go. He taught me that love was letting go and allowing my son to make his own mistakes and learn to stand on his own. A difficult thing for a mother to do. (Well this mother anyway.) But without his continued support and love I don't want to think how it could have ended. To him today I say thank you. Thank you for your patience, your continuous nagging until I got it right. Thank you for just being there. Thank you for your unconditional friendship and love.

My first book "Waiting to Die, Wanting to Live" could not have been written had I not had the courage to do the right thing. Ottis helped me to do the right thing... It was this son that stepped up to the plate and gave me a kidney. Pictured above is Eric (my donor) Ann his counselor and Ottis his mentor and friend. Ottis just celebrated his 30 year anniversary of sobriety...Congratulations on a job well done.
Be of good courage. Psalm 31:24 (NKJV

To Sherri, I don't think there are enough words to thank you for being the most loyal and loving friend...You went through every hospitalization and would always make time for me in my deepest despair. Your support never wavered or faltered...No matter what the circumstances she remained like A Mighty Oak...strong, resilient, and grounded. She was the one who saw me...Thank you my friend for continuing to do God's work and give your love so unconditionally. You are one of God's special angels.

Remember to always keep your heart open for unexpected gifts, like friendships...you never know when you might need a friend to fill a need. The world is full of unknowns, it helps if we are ready.

So remember to take the TIME to reconnect with an old friend or make a new one. And give them the best gift...YOUR TIME...