Dear Emily,
Notice anything different? Yep, I'm making myself use capital letters,
because I'm a grown up now. As soon as my parents began to depend
on us kids more, I knew it was time to capitalize.
I've learned to capitalize the importance of trusting my siblings and to
delegate. Another lesson is from Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit . . . but consider others before yourself."
It is a capital offense to whine about the difficult decisions we must
make.
Ours have been capital parents, giving us all they knew to give, and
now it's our turn.
I've been in denial, pretending things were not slipping down that
slippery slope. I've also been a hypocrite, thinking I was a devoted
daughter. Now is when the rubber meets the road, and I pray I can
meet the challenge.
Which brings me to my favorite Alexander McCall Smith quote,
"Denial and hypocrisy get bad press; there's plenty of room for both."
Love,
Lea
28 comments:
How good that you have siblings upon whom you can lean. Together you'll take good care of your much-loved parents. Thinking of you and saying a little prayer for wisdom for you all.
Capitalization is a good thing! It is hard for us baby boomers to see our parents getting more frail with each passing year and harder still to become the caretakers when they have always taken such good care of us. I know you will rise to the challenge with willing hands and a loving heart. Great post as usual, Lea.:)
Capitals .... Amazing. I have been in awe of your ability to not use them.
I found when my parents were failing that each of my siblings reacted in different ways. I spent much time with them because I was able. My sister who could didn't because she found it too hard. Did this make my contribution better .... I think her response was from a deeper love.
Draw your strength from The Lord and give all the family room to contribute in their own unique way. This can be a time of deep learning, one to value.
Joan: You continually amaze me with your
kindness and wisdom. Thank you.
what a good quote, and he is so right.
Yes, we go from the frying pan right into the fire, from our kids, to our parents, and all of it calls for more than we know how to give on our own.
You will continue to be both Lea... a good mom, and a good daughter. Your strength for both is still the same source. I think we just find we need Him more than ever as the chapters unfold.
Before the above comment flew out of my hands, I meant to also say that as the journey unfolds, we also see more than ever that God is enough for all of it. Whatever challenges are ahead... He is already there.
Blessings as you minister to your parents. I listen to my husband speak to his 98 year old mother daily and little by little she is leaving us. It is hard to realize they will not always be with us, or that they need us.
Hugs
I have been thinking lately that one of the biggest surprises as we get older is how young our parents were at a time when we thought they were already old. (And in reality, they were younger than we are now.) As time passes and they really are getting older, it becomes hard for us to recognize that growing frailty and vulnerability. Siblings help make the path easier but it's never truly easy. Prayers for you and your siblings, knowing you'll trust God and lean not on your own understanding.
Love,
Margaret
For some reason, I have a strong suspicion that this is a challenge that you will graciously rise up and meet. Praying that you have the strength, wisdom and energy to do whatever needs doing. That you will feel God's love on those potentially difficult days, just when you need it most.
Take care, my friend!
Kate
-and have a capital week!
I know the path you will travel.
It will be frustrating at times, and also depressing at times, but it will also be gratifying in ways you can't imagine. In in the end you will be blessed for the time you devoted to your parents.
Capitals~Leah . . . hmmm thinking on that. Praying blessings on your CAPITAL season and praying that you will have lowercase moments . . . and may every moment be full of grace and peace, my friend.
Wishing you joy!
Cheri
I like your lowercase letters. They are simple and peaceful, yet still command attention.
However, things do change. Perhaps your caps will give you the certain kind of strength and energy you need to handle the challenge of your aging parents.
I pray God's blessings for you and your entire family.
I think I want to be like you when I grow up. :) Thanks for stopping by to encourage! You are a blessing may you feel blessed!
It is so good to have you back. We are never ready for the role reversals. Just not natural, and yet inevitable. Do all you can on this side as unto God, so there will be no regrets afterward.
love you blog, enjoyed reading your posts. just became a new follower.
i don't use much capitals in any of my blog posts, i think i should start... :)
Hey... where are you?? You are being missed my friend.
me
Lea, someone once said to me, "I refuse to go to church because it's full of hypocrites!"
I said, "That's why I do go, I feel so at home there."
I'm not sure we had a meeting of the minds...
Hello Lea,
Hope all is going well with you and your family and that spring is making itself known in your neck of the woods. I think we won't see spring for quite a long time here, I have just come to accept it and am trying to wait patiently. (Sometimes with greater success than other times.)
Blessings on the rest of your week,
Kate
Praying you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Easter Day together. I certainly did, complete with a beautiful spring day (snow last Wednesday and 66 degrees today!) lots of chocolate kisses from nieces and nephews that named me Auntie Cake, rather reluctant hugs from my own kiddos, a great sermon and way too much food!
Hope things are going well with your parents, it has to be tough, changing the way you view them, needing to help them more and more, on all of you. I can't bear the thought of my own parents getting old, it just simply can't happen, but I know it will one day. Until then, it's Sunday dinner at their house and knowing just how blessed we are to have been raised by such great parents.
Kate
Praying all is well, Lea. I was just reading some comments you wrote to me 4 years ago-still an encouragement today. Have a blessed week-hugs! :)
I watched my own daughters step up this summer when their dad was very ill. It was hard for them to realize their parents weren't bullet-proof.
Nice quote.
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Praying all is well Lea.
Hugs!
Bree
I just realised that my blog roll is saying it is a year since you last posted here. I hope all has gone well for you during that time.
When your name comes into my thoughts I pray for you.
I thought of you the other day! That lovely lady that posted over at myletterstoemily. Your post were always such an inspiration..hope all is well in your corner of the world, and you are keeping encouraged in all you do!
Dear Lea,
I thought of you today and came by to see if you had returned. I hope all is well. Take care & God bless, Lana
As the others have said, I hope and pray that your life is going well. I was scanning some of your posts and thought, "What a treasure you have here for Emily."
Maybe print it if you haven't already done so. I use Blog to Print, but I'm sure there are other choices of software.
Blessings.
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