Each night before I go to bed I take an inventory of my day. I thank God for giving me the ability to be of service to others. I look forward to each day and seeing people who are in need of a little kindness. As I reflect on my day I thank God for each encounter. These people have become like family to me. I help to brighten their days and lighten their loads a little. That brings me immense joy.
Yesterday I helped a 90 year old woman with a broken leg by walking her dogs and cutting up a watermelon. Simple things that anyone could do, but few actually do. She recently lost her daughter and took in her pets which added to her already tight budget. She is a real animal lover and couldn’t say no when her daughters' animals needed help. I tidied up her kitchen and we played a word game to pass some time. I see her once every two weeks. She is like family.
I visited next with a 51 year old brain tumor survivor. She was my first client when I began working again over three years ago. We meet weekly to play games and talk about current events. We laugh because neither one of us has any short term memory so often when we are playing games, we forget whose turn it is. It's great that we can laugh about our struggles together. It’s nice to know someone literally understands the struggles of no memory.
This morning I am heading out to see another woman battling cancer. She is also helping me to understand the Bible. I clean for her and then we have a lesson. I really enjoy our Tuesdays together. She isn’t just a client. I am happy to call her my friend.
I will also be seeing another friend who lost her husband last week. He passed due to Alzheimer's and lung cancer shortly after being placed into a nursing home. She did everything she could to keep him out of the nursing home, but her health was taking a hit in trying to take care of him by herself. I can’t wait to see her today and give her a much needed hug. Nothing will bring back her husband, but a hug will let her know that I care.
And finally I will end today by helping a self described hoarder take back her dignity by helping her clean her home. Last week we tackled the kitchen, today we will clean the bathroom. It’s not the most glamorous job in the world, but it means the world to this woman. I have learned that hoarders are simply people who struggle with a disorganized mind, mainly from undiagnosed ADHD. They struggle with freeze paralysis, but if we break things down into teeny tiny baby steps, we are able to help them regain control over things in their lives. It’s an amazing process to watch someone heal and grow. I love being a caregiver.
So many people are silently struggling. I see it daily. This is my life everyday and I wouldn’t change a thing. My heart is full. I live my life today serving others, because this is my purpose. How do you spend your days? What brings you joy? Let me know in the comments. Namaste.