Changes

As we grow times change. As kids we are concerned about being outside playing with friends and have a good time. As we grow up our concerns to start to change, we start thinking about our first boyfriend or girlfriend and how nobody can know about our secret crush except for nearest and dearest friend. We see our teenage years approaching and start planning for high school, going out on Friday nights and getting our drivers licence. Before we know it we need to start thinking seriously about our future and what we want to do.

I remember as growing up at times it felt as if time stood still for others and I only aged or that time stood still for me and everyone around me aged.

Now I am faced with a new stage in my life and this is the care of an elderly parent and what my life will be like as I get older, as it is getting here faster than I would like. We like to think of our parents as indispensable but really they are not, no one is.

When my dad suffered a TIA (mini stroke) at the beginning of December I was so happy when he came home and was recovering well. Then a trip to the heart specialist and some more prescriptions we went on our way home to celebrate my son's 22nd birthday. Things seemed to be doing really well until for my dad sometime on Sunday. This is when the reaction he was having to a medication took a full hold on him and mimicked a stroke.

As it was my dad was weakened by the TIA and now is even weaker. The doctors are still optimistic that he will recover from everything but will take longer this time. The waiting for him regain his strength is the hardest part and trying not to take over is extremely hard, you just want to help but you have to let them still do things on their own so they can regain their strength. Watching a man that was completely independent and didn't like to rely on anyone for anything to have to rely on others is really hard. I am so proud that my dad is letting us help but it isn't easy as in his mind he still is capable but his body needs time to regain his strength.

For those that never have to watch their parents lives change so quickly and feel so helpless you are lucky as there are many of us that have to be there for our parents and take our turn to care for them like they did for us from birth all the way up into adulthood.

I took care of my father in law when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I helped my dad with his late wife Elsie when she had terminal cancer and now I am helping my dad. Many tell me that I have a Golden Halo waiting for me in Heaven, but I am not doing it for the halo but because of love and because of family for with out my family I wouldn't know love the way I do.

It is a scary thought when the day comes that you wonder if your parent will be able to return home or not. My dad is lucky he is able to come home not everyone is so fortunate.

It has been a while since I was able to write anything on my blog. It seems I have a hard time to connect to my blog site from home, I can log on but can't get to the posting page.

Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye. Ours was quiet and very enjoyable to spend time with family. This year we had a farm raised turkey. That was the best tasting turkey we have had for Christmas Dinner since I was a child. The taste was awesome. Definitely was worth the extra $$$.

I was sent an email with the following resolution. I found it very inspiring and wanted to share it with everyone. Along with Best Wishes to you and your family from me and my family for a wonderful year in 2008!

A Wonderful Resolution for the New Year!
What amazing gifts the new year brings! An entire year's worth of wonderful opportunities, given to us one sunrise at a time. Many of the moments ahead will be marvelously disguised as ordinary days, but each one of us has the chance to make something extraordinary out of them.

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life.The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can. Have pages on understanding and tales of overcoming hardships. Fill your story with enthusiasm, adventure, learning, and laughter. And make each chapter reflect time doing these things:

Follow your dreams. Work hard. Be kind. Do what you can to make the door open on a day that is filled with inspiration in some special way. Remember: Goodness will be rewarded. Smiles will pay you back. Have fun.Find strength. Be truthful. Have faith. Don't focus on anything you lack.

Realize that people are the treasures in life, and happiness is the real wealth. Have a diary that describes how you're doing your best, and... the rest will take care of itself.

- by Douglas Pagels