Healing Outdoors
  • Mission
    • Ladybug
    • Caregiver Rights
  • Offerings
  • Contact
  • Posts
  • Background
  • Resources
    • Healing Walk
  • Videos

An Open Letter to Caregivers

8/15/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
Know that you are not alone.  You are in a marathon, not a sprint, and just like a marathon runner/walker, it is one foot in front of the other, moment by moment.  Self-care is key in any seconds you can protect for yourself.  Find quiet places to sit and breathe. 

Caregivers are by nature selfless, but you must include yourself in the circle of caring.  Be your loved one's and your own best advocate, even if that means asking for help so you can restore and conserve energy.  

Caring for an ill child or loved one is the most heart-filled journey you will ever take.  We all hear what to do when life gives you lemons.  But what about when life burns your house down and threatens to take away or change everything most meaningful to you?  This is the journey of a parent/caregiver with an ill child.  

The good news I wish for you is that you will be met by safety nets in many forms.  Complete strangers will come to your aid in your darkest hour.  Your faith in humanity and your awareness of source will be restored.   You will know you are 1000 times stronger than you ever knew before. 

Cancer

Cancer is the two years after the curly blond imp

riding the red tricycle on the wood slat lagoon bridge

bump, bump, bump, back and forth.

The midnight freeway fly to children's hospital,

gasping to breathe and pale.

Cancer is the two years after sitting in our favorite field,

sneaking up behind to pour fistfuls of grass down my back,

giggling again, again.

The clumps of hair falling,

riding the IV pole down halls.

Barbie movie distraction, instead of our grassy field, our lagoon bridge.

Cancer is the two years after playful preschool friends,

trading one community for another,

the city where parents land with sick children suddenly

in the middle of the night, sharing stories and how the hell

did we arrive here? 

Cancer is the place we went without choice,

tethered us to grief and grace,

changed who we are, no matter the gifts

health, freedom, time.

 © Erin Waterman





1 Comment

    Author

    Erin Waterman

    Favorite Wisdom:  
     
    "In nature nothing exists alone."
                                 
                        ~ Rachel Carson
           

    Archives

    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    June 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012

    Categories

    All
    Care For Caregivers

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.