Prayer at caregiver's convention just received this link in an email from my dear SIL and brother - they were caregivers for so many of our family it is hard to keep track. Needless to say - they respected and loved the older generation and eased their transition in the final journey home.
It is a long clip - well worth the time but if you are in a hurry - here is the prayer recited at the end of wonderful introduction.
Blessed In Aging
~Esther Mary Walker
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand
Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to hear the things they say.
Blessed are those who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow
Blessed are those who look away
When I spilled tea that weary day.
Blessed are they who, with cheery smile
Stopped to chat for a little while
Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday.
Blessed are those who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today”
Blessed are they who make it known
That I am loved, respected and not alone.
And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.
This poem, as read by Mary Maxwell in the video
“A Reminder That Laughter is the Best Medicine.”
I agree with Mary Maxwell - this is the first time I've been old and haven't had a chance to practice, but if I can handle it with the grace and humor she presents - shouldn't be too bad to venture into uncharted territory.
It is a long clip - well worth the time but if you are in a hurry - here is the prayer recited at the end of wonderful introduction.
Blessed In Aging
~Esther Mary Walker
Blessed are they who understand
My faltering step and shaking hand
Blessed, who know my ears today
Must strain to hear the things they say.
Blessed are those who seem to know
My eyes are dim and my mind is slow
Blessed are those who look away
When I spilled tea that weary day.
Blessed are they who, with cheery smile
Stopped to chat for a little while
Blessed are they who know the way
To bring back memories of yesterday.
Blessed are those who never say
“You’ve told that story twice today”
Blessed are they who make it known
That I am loved, respected and not alone.
And blessed are they who will ease the days
Of my journey home, in loving ways.
This poem, as read by Mary Maxwell in the video
“A Reminder That Laughter is the Best Medicine.”
I agree with Mary Maxwell - this is the first time I've been old and haven't had a chance to practice, but if I can handle it with the grace and humor she presents - shouldn't be too bad to venture into uncharted territory.
Remember - if you are young and blessed - some day you TOO will be old. We're smiling here on Buhlaland and that is always good.
9 comments:
Hi Linda Sue - I love this prayer. I'm learning to be a caregiver in my own life. My generation is surely going to need lots of good caregivers. I hope they're are plenty to go around...
Hope you and Skip had a good Christmas and I'd like to wish you both a Happy New Year full of health and peace and contentment! May the Lord bless you both!
Linda Sue, that is sure a good reminder to us that we will not always be the caregivers, but the care needers! The Bible says we reap what we sow. My daughter once said, "People treat elderly folks like they have some kind of disease that they aren't gonna get." And that's true. God help us remember the needer and the giver!
Caregivers are blessed where it truly counts and ought to be given an extra ounce now and then here on earth. I cannot decide which was harder on my heart when I was a professional caregiver, the elderly or the children. Both broke my heart daily and made me smile daily, making of course the heart break worse. And when in the past I have given care for nothin' but for obedience is when I learned the most of God.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Wishing you and your husband many blessings in the new year. I'll be away from blogging for a few days but I have posted a new year wish for all my precious blog friends.
my parents have been caregivers for both moms.... its tough for them and Im so Proud of what they do!!
The Lord gives a very special grace to caregivers if they are willing to receive it . . . and it usually comes in the form of a wonderful sense of humor. . . the type that makes you laugh so hard that you wet your pants!!!!! I smiled as I read that prayer and listened to the video!!!! Oh Lord, don't EVER let me lose my sense of humor!!!!!!
*ROFL* Oh my goodness- what an awesome video, Linda Sue!!
"Random Hair Growth"... and I love the way she talks!!
Thanks so much for sharing this- I needed a laugh and it made my day!
The poem was so bittersweet- but I really enjoyed it too.
I am thinking there are many who will remember the quick judgments and impatience they have shown ( maybe not outwardly ) towards their elders and cringe , and maybe cry, as they realize they too are becoming like the ones they ridiculed or dismissed.
Some times it is simply impossible to imagine we might be in need of a care giver,but time has a way of gifting the fortunate among us with humility, repentance, and especially a sense of humor! Thank-you LindaSue.
Love the prayer and yes, before we all know it, we too, will be in need of some kind of assitance. Havea a wonderful New Year. blessings,Kathleen
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