Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2005. Mattie was three years old. I will never forget picking Mattie up from preschool that day and taking him to the mall. Mattie was uncertain as to whether he wanted to go near this huge bunny, but he decided to give it a try. I absolutely love this photo! I think in Mattie's lifetime I only took him twice for such formal photos... once with Santa and this one with the Easter Bunny. Nonetheless, I love it! Check out Mattie's eyes. Guess who Mattie was looking at? NOT the photographer.... but me!
Quote of the day: There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver. ~ Rosalyn Carter
I love this quote! I love it so much that I started chapter one of my dissertation with it years ago! Certainly there are all kinds of caregivers out there. It is a broad term, but Mrs. Carter was referring to caregivers of older adults. It was a busy day here. My dad's nurse came at 10am to evaluate him and has decided to officially discharge him next Thursday. After the nurse visit, my dad's occupation therapist worked with him for an hour. Once those visits were done, I got my parents in the car and we headed to CVS for their fourth COVID shot (second booster). There doctor recommended it for them, and it has been six months since their first booster.
After getting shots, I ran to the dry cleaner, to get gas, and then to Mattie Miracle's post office box. Given that is is fundraising season, I like to check the box on a more regular basis, as I never know what may be coming in. Given that I am balancing a full-time (and then some) job at home, it truly is amazing that I can continue to keep the Foundation afloat.
Of course my main concern is our upcoming Virtual Walk. Typically in the past, I am busy by day working my networks and all sorts of channels, to raise money. Unfortunately now I have little to NO time to get still for even an hour to get work accomplished. Today, money came into the Foundation and bolstered our May 15th event's thermometer.
Today's thermometer reads $31,407. We have a way to go, but at least I am seeing movement. I invite you to check out our Walk Website and get involved (register, donate, or purchase $5 raffle tickets).
Managing both of my parents needs requires great fortitude, time, and a great deal of patience. My dad will ask the same question over and over. I mean over and over minutes apart! It can be mind numbing. Honestly some days I feel like I am losing my mind. I love when he tells me that people at the memory care center are very disabled, because he feels they don't know where they are! Ironically neither does my dad, yet he isn't aware of this. Most of the participants at my dad's memory center look like they are physically functioning. However, you just have to look at their blank faces, to recognize immediately that they all have cognitive issues.
I take one day at a time, that is the only way I can manage. On top of all of this, Sunny went in for 12 hours of testing today. It appears that there are no masses in his lungs, which is positive news. But we await feedback from the oncologist and data from his all day blood draws assessing the functioning of the adrenal glands. Think good thoughts for Sunny!
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