|
Last week, I spoke of the passing of a very public
caregiver, Tim Russert.
Sadly, this week I am compelled to talk of
another well-known
caregiver who has passed - George Carlin.
Although the following is commonly attributed to Mr.
Carlin, I know from his website that he did not
write it. Yet, I think there are good things in it
to share with our friends and loved ones.
The Paradox of our times
The
paradox of our time
in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have
less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more
degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more
experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too
much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too
tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We
talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned
how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life
not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We
conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger
things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but
polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our
prejudice.
- Remember, spend some time with your loved
ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
- Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks
up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow
up and leave your side.
- Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next
to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with
your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
- Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner
and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an
embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of
you.
- Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment
for someday that person will not be there again. Give time
to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the
precious thoughts in your mind.
Life is not
measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.
Take care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
Register for
a Fearless
Caregiver Conference
|
 |
|
|
|
Let's
Talk About It - June 2008 |
|
To participate in this this month's discussion,
click here |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share The Gift of Support
Customized Gift Subscription Cards
A
cost-effective and successful way to support your
caregivers. |
|
Today’s
Caregiver magazine’s Gift of Support gift card
subscription program is an easy and inexpensive way to
recognize and support those caregivers for whom you
care.
The
Gift of Support program will personalize your
message on full color gift subscription cards, available
in discounted quantities of 20 or more. Mail them
directly to your caregiving friends and clients, present
the cards in person at events or regular meetings or
Today's Caregiver will even send them for you at a small
additional charge.
Now is the perfect time to
send the gift that caregivers really need. A Gift of
Support subscription to Today’s Caregiver magazine
will be remembered and appreciated issue after issue.
For more information on our gift card
program,
click here.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Today's Caregiver
magazine Supports Your Conference |
 |
Non-profit organizations:
Contact us and we will
provide complimentary magazines for your conference
attendees.
All you pay is
shipping and handling.Don't miss this opportunity!
To sign up,
click here |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Feature
Article |
|
When and How To Say "No" to
Caregiving |
|
By Deborah Colgan |
|
How does a caregiver know when he or she can
no longer manage the daily caregiving routines
and planning responsibilities?...Continued
|
|
|
Additional
Articles: |
| |
|
Surviving The Storm |
|
By: Robert Goodman
Hurricane season has arrived. Are you
prepared? Do you know what to do?...Continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Caregiver Story |
|
The Value of Friendship
|
|
By Marlene Pyle
|
|
I’ve learned many things since I began taking care of my
85-year-old grandmother three years ago. ...Continued
(Do you have a story?
Tell us.) |
|
|
Caretips |
When Summer Begins, Outside Work Outs
Don’t Have to End |
By Jennifer B. Buckley
|
|
You have been loyal to your outdoor exercise program for
months; walking, even when your muscles ached or biking,
even when your arthritis acted up. ...Continued |
|
|
|
|
Carenotes |
|
I am primary (only) caregiver for my 85
year old mother. She has dementia/Alzheimer's,
and some physical issues, mostly regarding mobility.
She's still very gregarious and outgoing, remembers
and recognizes many people still, and loves to be
around people and to do things. We live
together, she still goes to a senior center as often
as she is able (which does give me a bit of
respite), and I try to involve her and keep her as
active as her declining health allows.
My "best friend"...although I'm rethinking
that.....has drawn back from me immensely since
December when we spent Christmas day at his home.
He rarely calls, and we have not been invited to
return to his home. Although he lives about 50
miles away, we used to go over there regularly,
spend the day, and often spend the night. No
longer.
On Fathers Day I called him to see
how his trip went and he
informed me that his father was becoming
more and more forgetful, and that his
mobility is becoming more limited. He
referred to him as a "quiet" version of my
mother. He went on to say that, ok,
this was enough. Time for euthanasia.
I was DUMBFOUNDED. I didn't know how
to respond. My immediate knee-jerk
reaction was to say a little prayer thanking
God that my friend lives in Maryland and his
sister lives in the same small town in New
Jersey as their father and therefore is much
more involved in his day-to-day care.
Then, as if that wasn't enough of a jolt, he
went on to say that he and his partner were
planning to have a cookout on July 5, and
that I was welcome to come, but not my
mother. Basically in those words.
Again, I was speechless. There is NO
WAY I will go, not without Mom. But I
didn't know what to say to him. I just
want to blast him on both counts. But
I didn't. I'm not sure if I can, even,
or if that's the right thing to do. I
basically hung up on him at that point, said
I had to go because I was in the car.
He called me again this morning to tell me
that he had invited another acquaintance
that he thought I would like to know was
coming. I said very little to him...I
couldn't talk to him.
I am very upset. I feel abandoned,
angry, hurt, and a bunch of other feelings I
can't exactly pinpoint. Mostly let
down, I guess. I don't know where else
to turn for advice or commiseration! I
don't have many friends, never did.
Many of my friends have faded into the
woodwork over the past 10 years of caring
for my Mom. He used to be an
important outlet in my life, and my Mom
considered him and his partner her "adopted
sons". Obviously, this isn't a
reality-based feeling on either of our
parts. I am at a loss as to how to
respond to this situation.
I so very much would
appreciate any insight and perhaps even some
encouragement from other caregivers. I
wish I could get more angry with him, but
mostly what I feel is hurt and abandoned.
Please, any help?
Answer This Week's CareNote:
carenotes/2008/index.htm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Caregiver.com Support Group
Directory. Click
here for information about any caregiver support
groups in your area.
Caregivers need your help.
Please add information about your local
support groups to our
Support Group Directory. Include the name of
the group, where and when it meets, city and
state and support group leader contact
information. |
|
|
Have an idea for an article? We are
always looking for contributing writers. For more
information contact
editor@caregiver.com
Recommend Us
Tell your friends about Caregiver.com!
If you have a friend who you think would benefit
from our newsletter, complete and submit the form:
http://www.caregiver.com/recommend/index.htm
Subscription Information
If you
received caregiver newsletter and are not yet a
subscriber, and would like to begin receiving a
complimentary copy of your own, please click
here. Unsubscribe
To unsubscribe from caregiver newsletter, simply
click on the 'opt-out' link at the bottom of this
newsletter.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Statement
http://www.caregiver.com/privacy/index.htm
|
|
|
Copyright © 1995-2008 Caregiver.com Inc.,
All rights reserved by Caregiver.com and its
subsidiaries.
|
| | | |
|
