Caring Caregivers

I also had the pleasure to visit a senior center in Durham this past week. The director there is so amazing and his "children" (as he calls them) know this as well. His face stayed lit up and he had a big smile the whole time he and I were talking about the senior center. He has been the director of the program for about 4 years now and he loves it. Just seeing him interacting with the different groups made me feel really good for many reasons. I felt good because my grandmother goes there and I know she is in good hands and with good company. Good caregivers are rare and being in his presence and feeling his positive energy made me feel good also. I walked around and chatted with the seniors a little and they all had nice things to say about him; to them it's like a home away from home. To some it's better than there home because it is an air conditioned facility and they get a hot meal there also. These types of programs are vital; to some they are more than just a game of bingo. It is a place to go just to relax and enjoy the company of their peers. No worrying about ailments, family members or other life stressors. Here is a poem regarding caregivers that I thought was really nice, enjoy!

Special People by Phyllis Porter Dolislager

I think there will be a special place in heaven for caregivers.

You who have loaded wheelchairs into cars or vans
or cut up food and gently placed it into your mate's mouth,
or emptied bladder bags or positioned sleep machines.
There must be a special place for you.

Have you stood i line to buy take-out
or stopped for groceries on your way home from work?
There's a special place in our hearts for you.

Have you held the hand of your ill, loved one and reminded them
of why you chose to marry him/her in the first place?
And then added the reasons why you'd do it all over again?
There's a special reward in heaven for you.

You may think that no one knows and no one cares or
understands, but you're wrong, my friend.

Remember, scripture says, "Show mercy and compassion to one another." Zechariah 7:9

This week hold your head a little higher
and place a smile on your face.
For someone sees your acts of kindness--
He cares, and He remembers.