Dear Christine, thank you for your honesty and openness. May you be bless by it as you bless so many of us.
Because of you I've been looking at the Beatitudes too and am stuck in the depth of the first one which in the Contemporary English Version says "God blesses those people who depend on him. They belong to the Kingdom of Heaven"
My mother suffered with Alzheimer’s for 12 years. The lesson God gave us was the demonstration of unconditional love my father showed to her for many years of demise. The gift of an amazing visiting CNA who adopted my parents and brought home cooked food for my father so he would have healthier food than the frozen meals he was eating. There were many others some subtle and some surprising. I know your faith will reveal similar gifts to sustain you during this difficult time of trial.
Thank you Michael. I am already experiencing the wonderful gifts of friendship and know that God will provide other gifts along the journey. Thank you for your encouragement
I appreciate the stark and open honesty, Christine. This is such a hard route to travel but you are not alone. Please DO allow yourself to grieve and keep up on your self-care. We know in the writer's world, vulnerability and "realness" speak the most to other people. We relate the best with those who dare to speak the truth, not just spiritually, but sharing our challenges and pains too. Thank you for trusting us with yours. <3
I am grateful for your honesty and vulnerability in your reflection today. I will continue to pray for you and Tom. I have been meditating on the Beatitudes since Ash Wednesday and I really appreciated Glen Stassen's translation. Your poem was especially helpful to me this morning as well. May you experience the intimacy of God's inner voice, the gentle love of His presence and the inner glow of His light as you trust Him for each next step.
Thanks Margie. I am amazed at the responses I am getting to this. It makes me realise something I have been aware of for quite awhile. That’s so many are struggling with this pain. Appreciate the prayers and the comfort that has been offered to me and the number who have found succour in the poem I added. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support.
We are going through this with my 93 year old father. It sounds like you are getting good guidance and help. Trying to help my 93 year old mom to weather what you so eloquently wrote about. The hard but necessary reality of excepting each day as a gift no matter how hard. May God give you strength, patience and wisdom as you grieve what has been and never will be again.
Thanks Karen. I realise that being 15 years younger than Tom makes it a lot easier for me to negotiate this. It must be a huge challenge for your mother to cope with your father in this situation. I hope that they have plenty of help too. Blessings on you and on both your parents.
Dear Christine, you do not know me, but I was a student of Tom's at SPU in the 1980s, and I recall him so well as one of the most vibrant, passionate, inspiring and intellectually gifted professors I had. He would have us students up to the home on top of Queen Anne that he shared with several others, and we had the most convivial meals, including a Passover seder I remember very well. It's hard to imagine him cognitively compromised, but it is a condition that afflicts so many—my stepfather included. It is a slow stealing away, and I'm not so sure we must "welcome" this unwanted stranger as learn to accept its presence. It is in so many ways a cruel visitor that won't leave. I'm so sorry you are facing this loss. And as I read your moving poem, I wonder if you have read the rich book Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren. It has spoken to me powerfully through a couple of seasons of intense hardship, and I have been meaning to pick it up again, in fact, as our nation goes into a very dark night that is hurting so many. I feel such compassion for you --and I am glad you and Tom found each other and have had a full and mutually rewarding relationship until this sad turn. It's tragic to see him diminished. I know he will be restored in glory one day. I pray for your peace and well-being.
Thank you for this comment. Yes Tom has always been vibrant, energetic and passionate. He still is in many way and always lights up when someone talks to him about the issues he ares for. You are right, looking at the future involves a lot of acceptance but to me that can be a very passive and therefore sometimes joyless way to look at his condition. To me welcoming means an active embrace of the situation in ways that brings joy and laughter where possible I feel that it is a step beyond acceptance.
Dear Christine, I pray for you and Tom as you now journey with this unwelcome stranger. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey and these words of comfort from the beatitudes and in your poem. These lines from your poem speak volumes: "God of all life and wholeness, Let me learn to walk in the dark, Where each step needs trust, And it takes faith the journey onwards" Amen..
Thank you April. You know better than most what it is like to walk in the dark. Love reading the manuscript of your upcoming book. Can’t wait for it to be published.
Dear Christine, thank you for your honesty and openness. May you be bless by it as you bless so many of us.
Because of you I've been looking at the Beatitudes too and am stuck in the depth of the first one which in the Contemporary English Version says "God blesses those people who depend on him. They belong to the Kingdom of Heaven"
Much love and prayers X
You're welcome Diane - the verse you quoted is one I am leaning on - so encouraging.
Praying for you and Tom, Christine- thanks for sharing - may you be blessed by precious moments even as presence turns to absence
Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. They are much appreciated.
My mother suffered with Alzheimer’s for 12 years. The lesson God gave us was the demonstration of unconditional love my father showed to her for many years of demise. The gift of an amazing visiting CNA who adopted my parents and brought home cooked food for my father so he would have healthier food than the frozen meals he was eating. There were many others some subtle and some surprising. I know your faith will reveal similar gifts to sustain you during this difficult time of trial.
Thank you Michael. I am already experiencing the wonderful gifts of friendship and know that God will provide other gifts along the journey. Thank you for your encouragement
Blessings to you… in this challenging journey. 🕊️
Thank you
Christine. I just want to hug you and your husband and send you blessings for peace as you travel through this journey together.
Have you read The Singing Stick, by Phyllis Cole Dai?
🙏❤️🙏
Thank you Gayla. I have not read The Singing Stick. It does sound interesting though
I appreciate the stark and open honesty, Christine. This is such a hard route to travel but you are not alone. Please DO allow yourself to grieve and keep up on your self-care. We know in the writer's world, vulnerability and "realness" speak the most to other people. We relate the best with those who dare to speak the truth, not just spiritually, but sharing our challenges and pains too. Thank you for trusting us with yours. <3
Dear Christine,
I am grateful for your honesty and vulnerability in your reflection today. I will continue to pray for you and Tom. I have been meditating on the Beatitudes since Ash Wednesday and I really appreciated Glen Stassen's translation. Your poem was especially helpful to me this morning as well. May you experience the intimacy of God's inner voice, the gentle love of His presence and the inner glow of His light as you trust Him for each next step.
Thanks Margie. I am amazed at the responses I am getting to this. It makes me realise something I have been aware of for quite awhile. That’s so many are struggling with this pain. Appreciate the prayers and the comfort that has been offered to me and the number who have found succour in the poem I added. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support.
We are going through this with my 93 year old father. It sounds like you are getting good guidance and help. Trying to help my 93 year old mom to weather what you so eloquently wrote about. The hard but necessary reality of excepting each day as a gift no matter how hard. May God give you strength, patience and wisdom as you grieve what has been and never will be again.
Thanks Karen. I realise that being 15 years younger than Tom makes it a lot easier for me to negotiate this. It must be a huge challenge for your mother to cope with your father in this situation. I hope that they have plenty of help too. Blessings on you and on both your parents.
Dear Christine, you do not know me, but I was a student of Tom's at SPU in the 1980s, and I recall him so well as one of the most vibrant, passionate, inspiring and intellectually gifted professors I had. He would have us students up to the home on top of Queen Anne that he shared with several others, and we had the most convivial meals, including a Passover seder I remember very well. It's hard to imagine him cognitively compromised, but it is a condition that afflicts so many—my stepfather included. It is a slow stealing away, and I'm not so sure we must "welcome" this unwanted stranger as learn to accept its presence. It is in so many ways a cruel visitor that won't leave. I'm so sorry you are facing this loss. And as I read your moving poem, I wonder if you have read the rich book Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren. It has spoken to me powerfully through a couple of seasons of intense hardship, and I have been meaning to pick it up again, in fact, as our nation goes into a very dark night that is hurting so many. I feel such compassion for you --and I am glad you and Tom found each other and have had a full and mutually rewarding relationship until this sad turn. It's tragic to see him diminished. I know he will be restored in glory one day. I pray for your peace and well-being.
Thank you for this comment. Yes Tom has always been vibrant, energetic and passionate. He still is in many way and always lights up when someone talks to him about the issues he ares for. You are right, looking at the future involves a lot of acceptance but to me that can be a very passive and therefore sometimes joyless way to look at his condition. To me welcoming means an active embrace of the situation in ways that brings joy and laughter where possible I feel that it is a step beyond acceptance.
Dear Christine, I pray for you and Tom as you now journey with this unwelcome stranger. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey and these words of comfort from the beatitudes and in your poem. These lines from your poem speak volumes: "God of all life and wholeness, Let me learn to walk in the dark, Where each step needs trust, And it takes faith the journey onwards" Amen..
Thank you April. You know better than most what it is like to walk in the dark. Love reading the manuscript of your upcoming book. Can’t wait for it to be published.
I appreciate your finding time for my book and replying to my comment, Christine. Thank you!