FridayMotivations

Make the best of every day you have.

As the year comes to a close, it’s been a bit difficult to wrap my head around all the changes…. and the grieving continues. Some days are harder than others, but then again, there are some days that are lighter and a little easier to deal with. Today’s thought is more for me, I think. It resonates and hopefully, I’ll be able to find the best in today and every day as it comes.

I looked through some pictures we took over the last year and it was fun to see the smiles, remember the moments, cry a little and take lots of deep breaths. 2024 was definitely a memorable one.

11.29.24

November Greatitudes:
Day 1. Family
Day 2. Good friends
Day 3. Hospice care
Day 4. Peace of heart
Day 5. Rest
Day 6. Shelter: a home where love abides and grows daily
Day 7. A hug
Day 8. A smile
Day 9. An amazing sunrise
Day 10. Shared talents
Day 11. Technology
Day 12. Eyes that see and ears that hear
Day 13. The beauties of nature that surround us
Day 14. The colors in the sunset
Day 15. Peacemakers – and there are many if you take the time to look.
Day 16. Aunts, uncles and 2 generations of cousins gathered together
Day 17. Shared experiences
Day 18. Good memories of memorable moments and laughter
Day 19. Somedays, it’s the little things that matter the most.
Day 20. A sincere, thoughtful and unexpected “thank you”
Day 21. Reflection time
Day 22. Challenges and outcomes
Day 23. Having faith in what matters most
Day 24. Being able to “let go.”
Day 25. Family stories and heirlooms
Day 26. the ability to make daily choices – and opportunities to make things right if the choice was wrong.
Day 27. Health
Day 28. The little things that fill the spaces in your heart when you need them most. .
Day 29. Family traditions; holiday movies and reads

Sprinkle gratitude liberally…

November Greatitudes:
Day 1. Family
Day 2. Good friends
Day 3. Hospice care
Day 4. Peace of heart
Day 5. Rest
Day 6. Shelter: a home where love abides and grows daily
Day 7. A hug
Day 8. A smile
Day 9. An amazing sunrise
Day 10. Shared talents
Day 11. Technology
Day 12. Eyes that see and ears that hear
Day 13. The beauties of nature that surround us
Day 14. The colors in the sunset
Day 15. Peacemakers – and there are many if you take the time to look.
Day 16. Aunts, uncles and 2 generations of cousins gathered together
Day 17. Shared experiences
Day 18. Good memories of memorable moments and laughter
Day 19. Somedays, it’s the little things that matter the most.
Day 20. A sincere, thoughtful and unexpected “thank you”
Day 21. Reflection time
Day 22. Challenges and outcomes

11.15.24

November Greatitudes:
Day 1. Family
Day 2. Good friends
Day 3. Hospice care
Day 4. Peace of heart
Day 5. Rest
Day 6. Shelter: a home where love abides and grows daily
Day 7. A hug
Day 8. A smile
Day 9. An amazing sunrise
Day 10. Shared talents
Day 11. Technology
Day 12. Eyes that see and ears that hear
Day 13. The beauties of nature that surround us
Day 14. The colors in the sunset
Day 15. Peacemakers – and there are many if you take the time to look.

Every step counts.

CAREGIVER NOTES:
He’s basically stopped eating. He’s not impressed at all with the pureed diet he’s currently being given by the dietician. He spits everything out. He asked for toast and jam yesterday, but neither were offered or allowed until he can prove he can swallow successfully again.

We played music (Easy listening) yesterday for most of the day and he seemed to enjoy it and was calm for all but the last two hours I was at the center with him.

I talked with the Activity Director yesterday. He does recognize the value of music for those with dementia issues and they use is in the memory care unit.

As usual, he wasn’t into the Halloween vibe… He missed out on the Pre-school costume parade through the unit yesterday.

POSITIVES:
He was dressed and in a chair when I arrived
He showed determination – lots of it over the course of the day

You can do this

CAREGIVER NOTE:
I’m not sure if today’s image is more for Him than for me. Yesterday was truly a very difficult day. He was transitioned from the hospital to the rehab center. He was pretty mad and let me know it. He said he didn’t like or love me anymore… but we need to him to try to walk again. We’ll give it a couple of weeks and see how that rolls out and if he’s not able to, we’ll move on to the resources available through palliative care and hospice most likely.

Today will be an incredibly difficult and hard day for him as they settle him into a schedule, adjust meds so they can get his days and nights sorted out (they’ve really been messed up the last 3 days). And hopefully, he’ll bounce back a bit and the dementia will not be quite as prominent. He’s re-lived a lot of memories the last 4 days.

POSITIVES:
He fed himself lunch
Ate half a sandwich with gusto
Asked for food on his own at the rehab center