I haunted the hallways, waiting for the doctors to finish their regular morning meeting in the corner room. For days Pedro’s life had hung in the balance while a yeast infection in his blood ravaged his cancer-weakened body. The chemo treatment he had received shortly before the yeast started colonizing… Read more“God Has a Purpose for Your Life”
Category: Repercussions
One of the strangest parts of a caregiver’s journey is the bewilderment one faces at the ‘new normal.’
Feeling Guilty?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from cancer, it’s that guilt won’t cure it. I’ve also realized that there’s nothing like a pregnancy or a bad illness to bring out the loads of advice from well-meaning friends, family and strangers. The important thing is to understand where the guilt comes… Read more“Feeling Guilty?”
A Letter to Caregivers
Dear Caregiver Friend: I’m sending you this letter because I used to send letters. I used to do a lot of things… I used to be a great aunt. Well, I’m a great-aunt now, but I used to be a great aunt. I sent post cards and birthday cards and… Read more“A Letter to Caregivers”
Ready to Rest Under His Wings
I’m ready, Lord, to throw in the towel. You know how caregiving weighs on my soul. You know how often I try to provide the cure and not just the care. You know how I enter hyper-super-warp speed overthinking of every detail when disaster strikes. Help me to remember that… Read more“Ready to Rest Under His Wings”
You Can’t Cure Anyone
Dear Friend, The weight of anxiety over a friend or loved one who needs your care may have pressed the last dredges of flavor from your life. You may find the strangest things make you cry (coffee commercials, for example) at the oddest times (during a staff meeting). You may… Read more“You Can’t Cure Anyone”
Why It Took Me 14 Years to Climb a Mountain
Standing on the top of a mountain called Craig’s Lookout, I felt triumphant, proud and, for the first time in years, I felt like ME. Craig’s Lookout is not like Pike’s Peak or anything famous. It’s not even all that amazingly steep, nor dangerous, nor high. It only took me… Read more“Why It Took Me 14 Years to Climb a Mountain”
God Isn’t Late
Each week a flash-mob of writers gather and exercise their writing muscles by writing for five minutes of a prompt that Lisa-Jo Baker chooses. We write for five minutes and then hit ‘publish’ without overthinking or editing. Join us! This week’s Five-Minute Friday prompt? Begin Tomorrow a new school year… Read more“God Isn’t Late”
Feeling Dismal? You Are Not Alone
Dear Friend, I know the day seems dismal and dreary despite the summer sun shining brightly outside your window. I know that each breath requires a herculean effort and retreat into a dark hole seems like the only option. I know how difficult you find it to text, to call,… Read more“Feeling Dismal? You Are Not Alone”
Exhale and Consider the Joy
You want me to call THIS pure joy? I exhale—breathe deeply and try to explain to the sympathetic voice on the line what has led me to make this phone call. I’m thousands of miles away from home and everything seems off kilter. Another trial stares me in the face and… Read more“Exhale and Consider the Joy”
Don’t Be Like Me. Get Help!
I’ve been there, friend. I’ve lived with the “why-do-I-even-have-to-get-out-of-bed-today” mornings that pressed me into the mattress and made the down comforter feel like a lead blanket. Sleep seemed like the perfect alternative to facing a day filled with rejection and crushed hopes and the quotidian routine of eat, sleep, work,… Read more“Don’t Be Like Me. Get Help!”
