Proverbs 4:1 You children, hear the instruction of a father & [make an effort] to know understanding. Proverbs 4:1 I haven't posted much since my dad's passing. With sharing some information recently with someone, I would like to share my best tip about selecting a facility for a parent or loved one. I hope this is helpful! Debbie When I narrowed down the possibilities, I made an unplanned visit to each of those facilities and just walked in and went through the halls. When a tour is scheduled, it's too easy to have things deliberately structured to appear that everything is ide ..read more

I felt led to start this blog to help others as they choose to help their loved ones, family members or others through this sometimes difficult journey. As A Christian Caregiver, I tried to share the good and the bad. But more than that, I tried to show that when we focus on the instincts that Christ gives us during these times, He is right there with us and gets us through these times. I have written throughout the five plus years that I oversaw my dad's care. Some of it was it was here, in our home, but because of his health conditions, the doctors felt it was important for him to be in faci ..read more

When Dad stayed with us for about a year when he first moved here, he stayed in our spare bedroom. He kept having falls and getting pneumonia two of the symptoms of his Parkinson's Disease, so the doctors said that he needed to be in a facility that could provide more medical care. I prayed and prayed about this, because I didn't want "My Daddy" leaving me! I asked him about staying anyway, but I don't think that Dad wanted to be a burden on us, so he declined our offer. I still was so sad that he left. When he was still in town, we went to go see him almost everyday. When he moved to the ..read more

In the last post, I wrote about the first Memorial Day after Dad passed. It stands in distinct contrast to this Memorial Day. I was talking to my cousin who was talking about how she and her other cousin had purchase flowers and put them on all the graves of family members in the area where they lived. Then, it dawned on me that I hadn't even thought about putting flowers on Dad's grave. I felt like I should feel guilty and tried to figure out why it would slip my mind. After prayerful contemplation, I realized that we are in the midst of Sheltering in Place, the best we can, during the COVID ..read more

I remember last Memorial Day, which was about a month and a half after Dad passed. I went to Lowes. I looked up and down all the related isles and the front displays to find the plant that was just right to take to put on Dad's grave at the Veteran's Cemetery. I couldn't find the plant I wanted for the longest time. Then, I found it.  My husband and I drove out to the cemetery the next day, so I could lovingly put that plant on Dad's grave. We had to stop at the information office, so they could tell us which of the winding trails to take to get to Dad's plot. When we finally got there, i ..read more

2 Timothy 2: 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  My dad used to love telling me that I put him in the strangest of predicaments by the questions I used to ask him when I was little. When you think of them, they are normal things for a child to wonder, but I didn't pick my timing well. My dad used to tell me about the time I came up to him in a grocery store and tugged on his pants. He told me that I said, "Daddy, Daddy, why is that man s ..read more

Romans 5: 8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  My dad passed less than a year ago and I miss him dearly. Knowing this, it may sound strange to see I've said that I'm glad that Dad died before COVID 19. My dad was in more pain before he passed, but that's not why I feel this way.  This has crossed my mind quite a few times over the last couple of months. I am so glad that my dad doesn't have to go through the COVID 19 pandemic. It's ..read more

Romans 13: 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  Since my dad passed about a year ago, memories drift through my mind. I think it's part of God's way of healing my aching heart, which doesn't quite hurt like it used to. Sometimes someone says something that reminds me of him. Sometimes I hear something on TV, see something that brings all these thoughts flooding back through my mind. This time it was about my dad always saying not to borrow anything, especially money from anyone. He wanted us to be responsible citizens owing n ..read more

Recently, I've been blessed with several things that have happened to bring back positive memories of my dad, who has passed. What if those memories aren't always so positive? Someone made a comment about when they did the dishes when they were younger. It was all too easy for this negative memory about how critical my dad was when I didn't do a good enough job washing the dishes. I know it's a small thing and the dishes have to be clean, but it wasn't one of the positive memories I have of my childhood. It's kind of amazing the way Christ works in my life. I had a feeling that I don't have to ..read more

Yesterday, I opened a letter from a relative. In it, there was a picture of when we all got together to go out to eat at a buffet. My dad and his wife were there, both, now deceased. My grandmother's husband, who has recently passed. My one uncle and his wife, who have passed, and my other uncle who had passed and his wife, who, thankfully, hasn't. It brought memories of all the fun that we had together at the buffet. I remember everyone gathering together and striking the perfect pose to commemorate this wonderful gathering of relatives that rarely got together. I just wanted to hug my d ..read more