I decided to create my own blog regarding being a care taker of family members since the age of thirty in hopes of reaching out to others that find themselves in the same role such as myself in hopes of sharing with each other this important role in ones life. Through discussions we can reach out to each other in Christian love to offer one another compassion, empathy, support, encouragement, strength, joy and sorrow.
In Webster's Dictionary the word "care taker" means...a person put in charge. Through Biblical, God's word a person who is a "care taker" takes on the role realizing he or she is caring for one of God's flock, they assume this role out of eagerness to serve another, not out of obligation, they are concerned regarding what they can give another, not what they will receive from this child of God.
My own care taking roles began at the age of thirty after only being into my newly formed marriage for two years. When I met my first husband I was very well aware of his medical condition called diabetes which he acquired at a very young toddler age, in fact he had the type labeled "juvenile diabetes." He was forced at this tender age to be placed on a daily regimen of insulin injections. What a horrific regimen this must have been for him at such a young age but this regimen was necessary for daily survival. We will never be able to understand the emotions he experienced in his own daily personal life brought on by this disease, even as his wife, his caretaker throughout our daily journey I could never completely understand all his private emotions, thoughts, struggles or sufferings.
When my care taking responsibilities begun he was dealt the hand of heart disease and kidney disease brought on through the progression of this disease. In 1983 I was faced with traveling to Charlotte Memorial Hospital for daily journeys that lasted two weeks to learn how to place and hook my husband up to a kidney dialysis machine. A permanent shunt was inserted right below his belly button allowing the kidney dialysis machine to be connected in order to flush and purify his kidneys ten hours nightly. The entire process had to be performed carefully, precisely, sanitized for his medical safety as well as for his life safety. The entire training sessions scared me to death because it was through these grueling daily sessions that I realized that his entire being was being held in the palm of my hand. That is quite a weight to be placed upon ones shoulders but that is when I also realized that I had been chosen by God to carry out this task and to carry it out with confidence, compassion and love, the same confidence, compassion and love he has for me. I not only had this daily task but the entire task of our complete household. Then, I paused for a second trying to regain my composure when I realized, "so what, my Lord has the entire world upon His shoulders" so who am I to complain.
Back in those early years I was fortunate and blessed to have my daily life surrounded with the complete love of family, friends and my pastor, we were very close friends, his friendship, love and support I depended upon to the highest degree and during the whole journey this gentleman never once let me down. Whenever he crosses my mind still to this day I will always be indebted to him for his love and support which at that time was my "life line." I urge others if they know anyone that is going through a terminal illness with another, filling the capacity role as a "care taker" that they will reach out to that person and be their "life line" during such a time. No, the "care taker" may not be experiencing the physical pain as the person that is the patient, but believe me they to are suffering, emotionally, mentally and physically but in a different manner. So often the "care taker" is place on a "back burner," all the attention is focused entirely on the patient, too many times people do not realize that the "care taker" is suffering, neglecting their own needs, their own health, their own life, all for the sake of another, and if others would just reach out to them too, be their "life line" during such a journey...well if makes a difference weather they are able to step back, take a breath, relax, re-energize themselves to be able to keep moving forward in the right direction for the sake of another. Your "life line" to them doesn't have to be in big ways but simple ways in the form of a card, a telephone call, a casserole, grocery shopping, errands, gift cards for them to be able to treat or beautify themselves, a shoulder to lean upon, an ear to listen for them to vent or cry upon, small actions are the ones that are rich in God's blessings.
I will never forget the day that my husband left his earthly life to go to his eternal home. I can recall the moment as if it was yesterday. He sat up stoutly in the bed, inquired what time it was which I thought was odd but then I have always believed that the Lord in His own way allows us to know when He is coming to take us home with him so I figure he simply wanted to know the time of his departure from earth to God's home, those were the last words he said to me. His journey was over here on earth, my "care taking" journey had ended as well. At the end of our journey I weighed ninety eight pounds, a skeleton of myself, but I knew that everyone of us has a talent that God gives us and mine was that of a "care taker." I also knew that both of us had, "fought the fight, kept the faith and won the race."
I encourage all of you who are in a "care taking" role to realize that you have been chosen by God to take care of one of His flocks, the role and journey is filled with hills and valleys but the end is so rewarding. At the end of the journey you will hear the voice of God say, "well done my faithful servant."
I welcome any of your comments regarding my blog. I welcome any experiences, emotions that you may be experiencing too, all is open for discussion. I invite and welcome you to my blog and if you would like me to remember you in prayer please make your request known to me so I may lift you up in prayer to our Heavenly Father. Know you are not alone, I am always available.
I close with may you feel the Lord's mercy, grace, peace, love and joy.
