Will this happen to me? These five simple words pack a direct punch that can wreck havoc in our lives if we allow it to. Many caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s disease are haunted by this question. It sits in the background all of the time. When we forget something or misplace something it surfaces. It can move to the front of the mind and become a filter that we view all of life through. It blurs our vision, overwhelms our emotions, dims our hope and can become a heavy weight we drag around.
To be extremely honest with you, I have that question arise as well. I have chosen to rule the question rather than allow it to rule me. This has to be chosen on a regular basis. The more I choose to live my life without fear, the less the question arises. When I was still active as a family caregiver, I needed all of the strength and fortitude I could muster. Now that I am no longer in that role I am trying to use that same effort to encourage those who are caregivers, educate people, fight for finding a cure through events such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the Longest Day and hold on to my faith in God that ultimately He is in control.
This does not make me a great person. It makes me an ordinary person who does not want to walk in fear. I know the reality is that I may one day be diagnosed with this terrible disease unless a cure is found. I choose to live my life as if it will not happen. I choose to eat right, keep my mind active and recently joined the YMCA to become more physically active. I choose to accept that each of us will one day die either from an exhausted body, an accident, or an illness. I choose to accept that this world is not my forever home. I choose to love those who will accept my love and to share the love of God with all who will receive it.
The choices I have made help me keep that ugly question from controlling me. You must make your own choices. I encourage you to do just that. This will bring peace and allow you to be the best caregiver possible. You can’t carry the weight around and accomplish all you must do. You have to choose hope and keep moving forward. You will stumble under the emotional overload if you don’t face the fear induced by the question. If you need to seek out counsel or ask for help, do it now.
If this struck a chord with you today, you are probably in the company of many. Caregivers are real life heroes without a costume or movie made in their honor. Their superpowers are skills developed with hands on experience and they don’t always get it right. They do pick themselves up when they fall and keep on going.
You are amazing. You are strong. You do not have to walk in fear. You can walk in hope!
I walk in hope because I trust that God will never leave me or forget me. Even if I do face this disease, He will be with me through it all.
Word for Today
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Song for Today
Prayer for Today,
Dear God,
Your love is everlasting and gives us hope. Your love is greater than our fears. We come to you as mere humans. Sometimes we allow the life on this earth to overshadow what you have planned for our eternity. Remind us of this on the days that we are overwhelmed. Whisper words of hope and comfort to our hearts and settle our minds with your peace.
We ask that You catch our tears when they fall. Hold us when we hurt. Send encouragement through people who cross our paths.
Thank you for always being a constant in our lives in ever changing situations.
Amen
Walking Them Home 