family

the path

See yourself in the light of greatness… it is a great gift.

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I’m really very grateful for this journey and sharing in the experiences we’re having with Mom and our extended family. Rarely an hour goes by that we don’t have the opportunity to share a little more joy, laughter, love and more on this journey. I’m forever thankful for family being open to change, to share the responsibility and to shine the love that Mom has in ever broadening ways.

There are ups and downs, the good days and bad… but never any regrets.

If you are on the pathway of care-giving. I hope your light continues to shine and your pathway is cluttered with many amazing moments that will forever be remembered among the #bestdays of your life.

be the light…

Light the way for others

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This pathway isn’t always clear… there aren’t always instructions for any given moment. Sometimes, you just have to “feel your way” with your heart to light the spark for others to find theirs. I see it daily in her smiles, small accomplishments that often are huge in her eyes. Laughter, joy, recovering a lost memory if only for a few brief moments and the delight that brings.

I hope that as we continue our journey, these short thoughts might bring some “light” into the heart of someone else now beginning their journey or currently struggling with some aspect of living and caring for a loved one.

Seek the best

Seek, the good, the better, the best. Don’t settle for anything less.
#nurturedheart #GrowinGreatness #bestday #Greatitudes

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One of the things I love the most about living in a Nurtured Heart® way is that we find we are kinder, gentler, more forgiving and yet the boundaries are very clear. Mom really doesn’t like to move any more frequently than she has to. Getting up and down is difficult for her and her knees just don’t like to oblige at times. Yesterday was definitely one of them. However, we have promised her primary physician that she will “move” every couple of hours throughout her awake times. So up it is.

Re-framing our statements to I need you to… or let’s do this together makes it so much easier and we often find a smile on her face as we acknowledge her strength and will power to make what may have seemed impossible seconds before HAPPEN in a very positive way.
As she struggles to rise from the chair, we acknowledge the strength and power in her arms and upper body… she works hard every week in PT to keep that upper strength even though she dislikes the exercises, they are helping her. Every step forward, even the pauses as she contemplates how to move the foot, leg and even toes is met with “You’re cruising! Look at how deliberately you’re placing your left foot in front of and to the left of your right foot. Thanks for bringing your foot around the wheel of the walker so carefully. You didn’t bang a single toe! ” Acknowledgement and accomplishments rolled into one bring a smile to her face and I’ve not doubt are logged in as “I DID it.”

Even when her legs aren’t cooperating as well as we all would like and the walker becomes a wheelchair for the move, she does shuffle her feet along the way or lifts them which in turn does require more strength and concentration that we are excited to acknowledge and give lots of credit for despite her desire to just stay put in her chair for the day.

It’s not hard to see what’s going well — or to push a little more for her best, because we know it’s there.

We know that as she continues to go along her path, she will never be alone. That’s the best we can provide for her and we are so happy to have the privilege to walk alongside.

*To learn more about the Nurtured Heart Approach®, click here.

embrace the good

Embrace the good that is in every heart.
#nurturedheart #GrowinGreatness #Greatitudes

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Embrace the moment — That’s been our mantra the last couple of days. We’re both a bit under the weather and definitely not feeling our best. I can only imagine how difficult it is for Mom when she can’t find the words to pinpoint the problem so we can provide the correct support. Her frustration is visible as she shrugs her shoulders as we try to pinpoint the current feeling of unwellness…

Deep breaths for both of us and patience blooms again as we take one more long, deep breath… exhaling and start new.

Together, we’re resetting back to greatness and not getting stuck in the muck when it would really be so much easier to let the funk continue to take us for a longer ride. Embracing our greatness together brings a release and the ability to begin again.

Here’s to a fresh start — right now. Not in 5 or 10, but in this moment and most importantly, with LOVE.

today’s intentions lead us to our tomorrows

The thoughts and intentions we have today
will lead us to our tomorrow…
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Being flexible at all different levels has ultimately become this week’s intention — going with the flow so to speak.

Yesterday was one of those days we needed to pull out something else from “bag” and shift the energy around a bit. We have learned that listening to music will change her energy and make a difference, so that’s exactly what we did. Within a few minutes she had selected 2 DVDs and was tapping her toes and trying to sing along to most of the songs in the Music Man (an all time favorite and never grows old) and even surprised us with a bit of voice to a song from Annie! There was even a lightness in her step as we took a walk around the house after it finished.

From my perspective, if our intentions are to provide “best care,” then we need to be prepared to be “in tune” and shift our own energies and intentions for more #bestday choices when those in our care aren’t sure how to go about it. Here’s to today! It’ll be a Great one!

smiles

Make it a smiley kind of day!!
#nurturedheart #GrowinGreatness #bestday

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We have found lots of ways to turn things into smiles as we traverse this journey. It’s not always easy, but the results are definitely worth while. Last night, a case in point after a pretty rough start earlier in the day…

We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to care for our youngest grandchild last night for a few hours. His face lights up when he sees us and especially when he connects with Grandma Great! Those brief moments of touch and more.

He’s too big and squirmy for her to hold for long now, but he reached out and held on to a finger for a few seconds and the joy in her face and voice were well worth it. She avidly watched as he rolled on the floor chasing his toys from one side of the room to the other. She was delighted even more when he rolled to her feet and tickled her toes through her slippers.

I’ve no doubt that memories from long ago as we were all growing up were brought back to mind. Her smiles lasted the rest of the night and even as she laid her head on her pillow for one last hug for the day and a kiss….

perspectives

When you learn to appreciate the core of who you are,
you will see the whole “package” …

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with an amazing and beautiful perspective of the real you.
#Alzheimers #bestday #family

I’ve seen Mom cringe more than a few times she looks at herself in the mirror over the past couple of years. She hasn’t been happy with what she was seeing reflected back at her. BUT….that’s not the woman I see. I see her beauty from the inside out. She’s still ‘Mom, Grandma, and Grandma-Great” and always will be to her extended family. White and silver hair, a few wrinkles, don’t define her … She has an amazing story to tell and there are still a few stories in her eyes as we look through old photo books and she shares bits and pieces of the memories that come flowing out.
Yesterday, we had our monthly family gathering — a few of her grandchildren and great-grands joined us. It was an amazing afternoon and evening. There was laughter, tears, joy and so much more. We had a beautiful time as the great-grands picked their pumpkins from our “patch” and delighted as they opened a small bag of goodies at the end of the evening. Mom was just as excited for them as they were!

Mom’s demeanor was light, filled with smiles and joy and even a twinge of sadness as they all gathered their jackets, put on their shoes and headed back to their own homes as bedtimes grew closer — then, as we initiated her bedtime routine last evening, she paused at the mirror and said, “Not bad!”

Mission accomplished for the day!

Be True to you…

Let your true you be bright and shine for the world
to see you for who you are.
#nurturedheart #GrowinGreatness #BestDay

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This image was inspired by a posting made by @Soulseeds a few years back. I hope you’ll find something that you’re searching for today in yourself and let it be colorful and bright. Share it with those around you. That’s our plan for the day! Have a #bestday!

Listen in the stillness

Listen in the quiet moments of the day..
there’s much to hear, see and celebrate!
#nurturedheart #GrowinGreatness

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I sometimes get caught up in the messiness that is part of my “every” day — and when that happens and the anxiety or overwhelm builds in what isn’t going well – I need to remember I have the capability to filter that out and can choose to find ALL that is going well. It’s really my choice as to what I see, hear and feel.

Today, I have the intention of listening in those quiet moments and let the goodness I see and feel be my guides and cherish the joy that fills my heart and hope that as my momentum grows in seeing the good, others will join me and we will all enjoy another #bestday.

from small things

From small and tender acts
come mighty testaments
of your strengths and character.

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Sometimes, it’s the little things that bring the greatest rewards. Heart to heart. Acknowledging the frustrations; declaring the characteristics that demonstrate strength, persistence, willingness to keep trying, determination to complete the task at hand and so much more. The smile at the end makes it all so very worthwhile.