Gratitude Expressed
March 29, 2020
I am a caretaker now. I did not envision myself in this role even when we learned that my husband Peter had Parkinson’s Disease a dozen years ago. I am grateful that I am able to do it.
I usually don’t mind that I have to do things that Peter used to do. Fortunately, we don’t have a yard to care for anymore and we don’t have to worry that a snowstorm will cancel school or make us late for work. But I do most of the planning and the cooking, and all of the grocery shopping for us. I take Peter to doctors’ appointments and drive him to his classes when he can’t walk to them. .
But every once in a while, I feel taken for granted. So the other night, I suggested that it would be nice to feel appreciated. I forget what I had just done for him, but I didn’t get thanked. So I thanked myself out loud in his presence.
Peter looked up at me and said, “If I thanked you for everything you did for me, I wouldn’t have time to do anything else.”
Perhaps an example from my Mom when my sister and I cared for her the final 7w of life? Every night when we settled her down for the night she said "Thank you for being here. I love you".
We all know sometimes our boys need instruction on fufilling our needs.
God Bless You for caring for your life partner.
Posted by: Elle | March 29, 2020 at 12:03 PM
I hope you are getting the care you need too. We cannot do this alone.
Posted by: Margaret Rader | March 30, 2020 at 03:46 PM
Thank you for sharing these moments with us. Your thoughts often touch me.
Posted by: Janet | April 03, 2020 at 01:29 AM