Have a Remarkable Day

I think about losing all of my precious friends and family and it makes me think of how hard it would be to live in this world under those conditions. I was reminded of a letter of thanksgiving I had posted on my FB page last October. My mother was finally well enough to be asked how to respond to my Grandmother's delusions and depression. She told me that she gathers a bunch of mail (mostly advertisements and cooking magazines) and has her open it with a cup of tea and a couple of cookies. This seemed to help. I had been throwing out the mountains of junk mail and election advertisements in anticipation of moving them and didn't have anything for her. So, I reached out to my FB friends and asked if they would take a moment to send her a simple card for her 101st birthday. It didn't matter if she knew them personally or how much the card cost. She was overwhelmed with the responses. Every day for several weeks she received well wishes. After awhile, I had to lock the front yard gate because she was going to the mailbox on her own checking for mail and I was worried she would fall on the loose gravel. These acts of kindness brought her hours of joy. These wonderful friends of mine also remembered her on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was an adopted Grandmother of my friends and their friends.

Thought for the day:  Can I take a few minutes to reach out to someone that needs an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on or a smile to get them though a difficult time? Celebrating is easy, but lifting someone up when they need it is remarkable.

Open letter to family, friends and friends-of-friends...
 

Thanks to all of you that sent my Grandmother the heart-felt birthday wishes. It really made a difference in her spirit. For the past month, I have been packing my mother's belongings (trust me, she doesn't have the word down-size in her vocabulary) so that we can move both of them in with my husband and I. I think for someone that is completely dependent on the familiarity and routine of her environment and the caregivers that surround her, my Grandmother is probably suffering from the changes in her life as much as my mom is.

~A special shout out to Cathy. Caregiving is a special calling. You have my admiration.

~An over achievers award goes to my cousin Lorraine. The 80 something cards and letters from the 1st and 2nd graders at St Hedwig school was genius. The drawings and well wishes are priceless as well as my Grandmothers comments. They are all her personal friends now.

~Andrea, thank you for the royal purple "papoochees" (polish for slippers). They match her tiara. wink emoticon
 

I believe that when we feel we are valued and have loved ones that help dry our tears, give a soft pillow to ease our tired bones, or to take the time out of our busy lives to say hi, it gives a little energy and happiness to that person.

BTW, Grandma participated in the group physical therapy session today at my moms skilled nursing center. She was an inspiration.

These acts of kindness don't take much effort on our part, but make a huge impact on those we touch.

 Thanks again, and have a wonderful weekend.