Understanding Gratitude

This past week I came to understand gratitude and routines in a deeper way. As a full time caregiver for my 89 year mom, I had to decide whether we should vacate or stay during Hurricane Michael.

I chose to stay since I felt disrupting her routine and uprooting her to an different location would cause more stress. The last trip we took, she became confused and disoriented in the hotel and she was stressed over the change. I debated all the way up to four hours before the storm hit on whether I should stay and maintain the routines she is use to or to leave and disrupt her patterns. 

We stayed and are okay. Here are the lessons I am learning: I am grateful for life, I am grateful for kind people who are ready to come assist as needed,. I am grateful I was as prepared as I could be and we sustained minimal damage.

Things can be fixed and replaced, people can't. 

I have learned that my mom's memory is sketchy and doesn't understand how severe the storm was. She is fine, since I didn't disrupt her routine and location. She slept through the worst of it! Her biggest concern: her toilet was running and she wanted it fixed! (I think I fixed it as of this writing.)

We had electricity back up within 29 hours. She is still wondering why there are so many people rushing to get groceries. Why are there road blocks, etc. I am reminding her that we are safe, we had a major storm and we missed eating at her favorite restaurant because we could not get there with all the debris. Oh, the simple things in life can mean so much to someone who is use to a specific routine. Her memory issues are unique to her. She remembers some things and others just slip away.

Yes, life has a funny way of turning the tables.. When I was young, I trusted and had faith in her care; now, she has trust and faith in me. May I continue to be guided in her care and listen to my intuition as to what is the best course of action to take for her best possible care.

I am so grateful for the small things: battery operated fans, my Halo (kept my cell phone charged so we could watch the local news,) ice, gas grills, and life beginning to return to a normal (whatever that is). Blessed to be here and blessed to have mom with me. Blessed to learn that patience is needed in times of stress. 

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