…with the little things.

We’ve experienced so much in the last couple of weeks and a major issue with a significant shift in mobility presented itself this last weekend.  We  (the caregivers) weren’t quite prepared for it — and frankly neither was Mom.  She experienced frustration, anxiety, sadness, anger…. the whole range of emotions… While we’ve had some similar experiences in the past, they were short lived for the most part.  Not much has changed in the last couple of days and she’s “scared.”  Who wouldn’t be?

Enter in the greatness work — seeing the little things that really are blessings in disguise!  Smiling through.  Baby steps as we make those turns and transition from chair to walker or visa versa.  Planting feet for easy push up and being sure that we are balanced in our lifts.  Grateful for giggles when we don’t quite get it right the first time and are willing to “try, try, again.”  Chairs that “lift” when needed.

Finding a lap tray she likes that allows for balanced plates, bowls and glasses.  Raised toilet seats and secure grab bars.

Family and friends who open their hearts and drop in for a visit, just because you were on their mind.

Root beer shakes (with a scoop of protein powder added) for those days when the number of her awake hours don’t give us enough time for 3 good meals.  A bedtime snack with a little more protein and fruit.  And yesterday, it was a straw!

The list of “little things” is long when I look at it and last evening as we reviewed our short day – we honored each other for making the day a good one despite all the stuff that didn’t go as planned; for creating opportunities in making moments better because we could AND most importantly for sharing the love and respect we have for each other with joy and dignity.

We DO HAVE so much to be thankful for!