Single Parent of Two...Ages 19 and 74

I may sound a bit facetious, but bear with me, it's my way of coping. I mean, how do you handle the responsibility of being parent/guardian/caregiver to your own parent? I could mention the gutwrenching fear I experienced, when I first noticed the first signs of forgetfulness, or the increasing reliance on my opinion or decision making/problem solving abilities. I could also mention the fact that between work, Bible School, and elder sitting, I feel I no longer have a life. Or I could take it one day at a time, knowing that all things work together for good for they who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose...

Screeech...this is keeping-it-real-for God blogspot...so that's what I'm going to do.

I was bogged down in guilt, thoughts flashing through my mind at my inability to cope and the all time favorite, "There are six of us alive, why me? I'm the baby!" The one time when I figure being the baby should work for me...and it doesn't.

Like a lifeline to a drowning man, going down for the third time, I was hipped by a co-worker, during one of my rants, to an agency that exists just to assist people like us. (Don't act like I'm the only one). The agency is called Area Agency for the Aging. They provide assistance, (monetary), guidance (one-on-one in-home consultations) and referrals (to nearby senior homes for activities and Agencies that supply home attendants).

For those who thrive on it...a support group or two might be found posted at your local library or on the web. In addition, I found this nifty little article from AARP. Although geared to Maine residents, it addresses the situation nicely...

As for me, I prefer to sing, write or rant about it. I'll eventually get around to praying about it. We always (and I say we, because it helps to have an inclusive feeling when I know I'm dead wrong...lol)leave the best for last...don't we? When in essence "we" know we should fret about nothing and pray about everything.

Peace,
Dee

Comments

Anonymous said…
Wow you're going to get tired of seeing me post and my wow. For a little over a year I was single parent of 2, full time employee, part time student and caregiver. My grandmother who raised me, cancer came back and with a vengence. I'm am the oldest of 4 and have a living mother. I can't tell you how many times I said why me. It got to a point where ALL I could do was pray and give it to God. As all stories are this one is long. My grandmother passed away 01/22/2004. The peace I have knowing that I did everything I could for her is priceless. The toll it took on my life is another story. It is a daily struggle that in the end even with everything I went through and am going through I would do all over again, better with the foresight. So I have no answers for you, except I know God is faithful.

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