We are embarking on a national holiday here in the US. For some of us we’ll be looking forward to some days off and some heavy eating of some rich food and drink and being merry – well merry times will be coming in about a month or so but let’s just say we’ll share in some joy and laughter. However, I’d like to remind you that not all of us will be sharing in joyful moments. For some of us, we may be grieving and mourning the loss of a loved one and this may be the first holiday without the matriarch or patriarch of the family gracing the table with us this year.
For others, we may be sitting in the hospital at the bedside of our loved one. One year that was me -my Mom was in the hospital on Thanksgiving day. I cooked all day and brought her favorite macaroni and cheese dish along with the traditional Thanksgiving fixings so she would not miss out. I was home cooking solo while my Dad, who also had limited mobility, was there missing his beloved wife. I still enjoyed because I was being of service to them, helping them to have the benefits of a good home cooked meal even though we couldn’t all be together at one time. And still yet, we may be at home trying to cook a meal and trying to keep up with the needs of the ones we are caring for and just wishing for a break. So on this upcoming holiday season, I ask you to think of someone who has been taking care of everyone else and just check in. There are things that you can do that would be very thoughtful and could make a world of a difference to someone at this time of the year.
If you are wondering what you can do, I encourage you to think from a place of service and support.
We must take care of those who are taking care of those who are looking out for our elderly relatives at home. What can you do to show thanks? Here are some suggestions:
- Offer to cook a meal and bring it over.
- Volunteer to do a load of laundry.
- Offer to relieve the caregiver so they can run an errand.
- Drop off a few bags of groceries.
- Take the kids on a fun outing.
- Give the caregivers a break by babysitting the kids.
- Send them some notes of encouragement.
- Offer to clean up.
- Pray for them.
- Ask them what can I do for you?
These are just a few ways that you can show your support by serving those who give their days to serving others.
Can you think of some additional ways that you can help give thanks to a caregiver? Please share your thoughts.
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