Tonight's picture was taken in September of 2008. Mattie was in his second month of treatment and that day, Mattie was making creations from cardboard boxes. He literally was carrying all the boxes throughout the main floor of the hospital. By that point in time, all of Mattie's psychosocial staff knew he LOVED boxes. I have a feeling they saved every box that came into the clinic that year, and Mattie found a use for each and every one of them!
Quote of the day: I am a firm believer that helping others is the quick way to find true happiness, making someone's day a little bit brighter will in turn make your own day that much better. ~ Catherine Pulsifer
It was another busy day! While I was getting dressed this morning, I received a text message from my neighbors. They are in their late 70's. One of them is recovering from surgery and the other has just been diagnosed with COVID. They clearly needed help, as they couldn't get out to go grocery shopping. I asked my neighbor to make a list of all the items she needed and I would pick them up today and leave them by her doorstep.
After dropping my dad off at his memory care center, I ran to my yearly skin check at my dermatologist's office. On my way home, I stopped off at the grocery store and picked up all the requested items. I added a bunch of sunflowers and a bag of mixed freshly baked cookies. To me, sugar and flowers always perk me up when I am not feeling well, and hoped this would be true for my neighbors. Though they wanted to pay me for shopping, I said no. It was our gift to them, in hopes they would have a speedy recovery. My neighbor said that I am "a gift" to her and thinks I am the sweetest. There is something to be said about tonight's quote. Maybe that is why I entered the helping profession, because I am a firm believer that in helping others, we deeply help ourselves and learn more about ourselves in the process.
I help two 88 year old's everyday, but being able to help those in my community makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I serve a purpose and have meaning in my life. Once I dropped off the items at my neighbors, I then promised to take my mom out to lunch. So it was a day of constant running around and chores. When my parents first moved in, this kind of day would have gotten me down. After all, I couldn't get to my emails, I couldn't do Foundation work, or have a minute to myself. But being at this caregiving routine for almost two years now, I have learned that there is only one of me, and I can't do everything. I get things done when I can and I can't beat myself up if I can't get to everything. This is not in my nature, but it is the best I can do for now, so it has to suffice.
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