Are you the caregiver for a cancer patient? I am. I don’t think anyone knows what the life of a caregiver is like until they go through it themselves.
A caregiver has to drive the cancer patient to appointments and treatments; be there to encourage the patient when he’s down emotionally; provide extra TLC like getting some warm socks because his feet seem to be cold all the time now; be an advocate for the patient when he can’t for himself; be on a constant vigil when he gets up in the middle of the night due to pain.
I could go on and on but I think you get my point. When the patient is your spouse, the emotional strain on the caregiver seems multiplied. Caregivers need to be encouraged, too. They need to be lifted up so that they can continue caring for their spouse. It’s not easy seeing your loved one suffering – in fact, it’s heart-wrenching! There have been quite a few nights where I have shed quiet tears on behalf of my beloved. I know that our Heavenly Father is there and I know that He collects each one of these tears and holds them near to Him. I know this because of the mini miracles I have seen in John’s life. I know that my Father has heard my cries because He has given me this special someone in a dear friend who lives locally. She calls me and emails me almost every day and always has an encouraging word for me! I dare say it would have been a lot harder on me had I not had her precious friendship!
I found this piece today and I thought it was really special. Won’t you encourage a caregiver today? Surely there is a friend or a relative in your life that could use a phone call filled with encouraging words. Won’t you do that for that special someone today?
Plants grow best when we pay attention to them. That means watering, touching them, putting them in places where they will receive good light. They need people around them to notice if they are drooping at the edges or looking particularly happy in the sunlight. The more attention a plant receives, the better it will grow.
We need to be noticed in the same way. If we notice a family member or friend is drooping, perhaps we can pay some special attention to him or her. All of us need someone to care about how we are and to truly listen to us. We can share and double someone’s happiness by noticing and talking about it also. We help the people around us to grow by listening to their droopy edges as well as their bright days. People need this as much as plants need light and water.
~Author Unknown~
