Wow! If there is one word to describe this past year it would be difficulty! As most folks that know me, know that my family takes full time care of my Mother -in-law. Elton is an only child so the full responsibiltyfalls on us for her well-being. She is blind and cannot do much. Well, come September (after a pandemic and Eltons job loss in the oil field) my dad had to bring my mother from New Mexico to my home for full time care. I thought things were hard but this brought a whole new meaning of hard!! My mother has COPD and is on full time oxygen, has dementia,and is bound to a chair. My dad works full time at the age of 78 and cannot take care of her anymore. Let me just say that taking on this responsibility does not just affect me but the whole family unit! I describe it like taking on a newborn baby.There will be bathing,diapering, dressing, feeding, etc. Waking up at 4:30 EVERY day with no end in sight. Some days there is a complete feeling of being isolated and exhausted from the monotenous schedule day in and day out. Since we are still raising kids ( 1 in college and 1 in High School)it can be a challenge for sure. Also seeing someone that was once full of life and gasping for air takes on an emotional toil as well. But I said this to say that life is hard folks! In fact it down right stinks at times, but I'm here to tell you there is Hope amongst the hard! I dont see many folks and I dont get out much because of what we call "our nursing home" LOL, but I cant imagine going through life without Hooe in Christ! I am constantly reminded of James 1:2 to count all our trials as joy. It produces steadfastness. Literally putting one foot in front of the other. Our trials over the last few months have brought about times of great joy also. Knowing that out of obedience honoring our parents it has shown our children "the younger generation "that caring for the elderly honors God and shows us that ALL lives do matter. ( I am currently taking bids on which one is going to take care of Elton and I later in life and no one is jumping on that haha!) Our parents spent countless hours taking care of our needs as children and it's only fitting that we do the same as they get older and in need. This looks different for each family, but it's something we must do. The blessings we have had throughout this journey are many. I am so sorry for such a long response but I did not know how to explain our hardships in one tiny comment section: )
ronda Goodwin