Hope for the Caregiver Blog
You Can’t Care for the Sick With Clenched Fists
When we feel powerless or entitled to power, resentment becomes the most delicious of sins; one that provides the illusion of supremacy and even moral superiority. While delivering an anesthetic of power, it viciously invades our hearts and twists our minds until all...
CS Lewis and Thoughts About The COVID-19 Virus
My wife tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. She spiked a fever and the heavy congestion caused breathing difficulties. While in the ER, I asked her, "Are you scared." "Yes,:" she replied, "But I've been through worse. Indeed she has. Watch the latest video at...
“Educate Yourself!” Words from author, advocate, and caregiving Mom: Mary Elizabeth Jackson
Award winning author, Mary Elizabeth Jackson, called the show to share her personal journey, things she's learned, and the latest in her "Poohlicious" books. During the conversation, we --along with my sidekick, John Butler (AKA the Count of Mighty Disco) --also took...
Caller Hears Tough Truth About “Follow The Money.”
"It's always about the money ..." is a statement caregivers are well served to remember— particularly when caring for someone else's family member. This caller discovered that she has more than one problem following a stint of taking care of a man she considered a...
Coronavirus and the Family Caregiver
Who's At Risk For Coronavirus? Coronavirus targets elderly, overweight, diabetic, and other otherwise at-risk individuals. Yet many of the caregivers of those individual also struggle with those same issues. Excessive Weight Gain is significant issue for many...
Coronavirus ( COVID-19) and Caregivers
If it's not the Coronavirus, some other flu issue lurks around the corner. Guess who's the most vulnerable? Chances our, it's your loved one ...and YOU! In addition to the common sense recommendation of the CDC (washing hands, covering mouth, etc.), here are some...
God uses painful things to expose deadly things. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something.
From our radio show for family caregivers, HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER 02/29/2020. Discussing Repentance and the Family Caregiver, this show delves into teachable moments in our journey through caregiving. Brought to you by Standing With Hope "For the wounded ...and...
Beauty …and Even a Smile… in the Present.
One of my favorite authors, Louis L'Amour, wrote: "Few of us ever live in the present. We are forever anticipating what is to come or remember what has gone." One of my greatest challenges as a caregiver for more than three decades ...is to live in the present. I...
Pastor Robert Morgan: “This was our last project together.”
One of my favorite and most inspiring friends is Pastor Robert Morgan. A caregiver for three decades for his wife, Katrina, through her journey of MS, Robert brings vast experience and depth to his books and ministry. Throughout his journey as a caregiver, Robert...
Morning Chores That Lift My Soul
Each morning through the winter months in Montana, my morning chores included feeding horses. I take a snowmobile out while pulling a sled filled with hay. The horses are always excited to see me ...or at least they're excited to see the hay! Either way, it's deeply...
Caregivers and Fear
While "The Only Thing We Have To Fear is Fear Itself" inspired a nation facing war, the battle between caregivers and fearful issues remains constant and different. REAL and frightening things face us. How do we deal with them? What's the path to safety? We discuss...
“We have Met The Enemy …and He is Us!
With all due respect to Commodore Perry ...I paraphrased, changed, and re-appropriated his famous quote. As caregivers, our enemy is not our loved one ...or their condition. Rather, it is ourselves. Particularly the pesky, yet delicious sin that we savor:...
From “…a musical gig” to a cause! Anthony Cirillo Shares His Passion for Caregivers
Playing bass, guitar, and singing took him into the world of caregivers. Now, Anthony Cirillo has a cause and a huge impact on the healthcare systems in our country. Anthony Cirillo is Global Practice Partner of GIS Healthcare, a provider of caregiver and related...
I Can Only Hold You Now
Sitting at the piano, I played a simple five note melody. Stewing around with it for a while, I knew I wanted to write a song to describe the heart of a caregiver. Playing with it bit more, I kept coming back to that simple melody. After a while, I reached out to a...
Caller Says “God is Her Doctor.”
One of the 7 Caregiver Landmines is Ignoring Personal Health Needs, and more than 70% of caregivers fail to see their own physicians. While most caregivers offer excuses such as money or time, this caller stated she didn't need to because, "God is her doctor." Take a...
THE Solution to Caregivers’ Legal Needs
Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Wills, Traffic Tickets, Business Disputes, Filing for Disability ...the list is endless for things that require the skills of an attorney. As a caregiver, can you afford to pay for those services? Can you afford to deal with them...
A Conversation With Singer/Songwriter (and caregiver) Gary Chapman
One of my all time favorite songwriters is Gary Chapman. Whenever I hear his songs, I have to stop and listen ...and they continue to stir my heart. Especially TREASURE. Gary is also a caregiver...on several levels. As Gary reflects in this interview, the journey...
“If You’ve Got Your Hair and Your Teeth …You’re Alright!”
Back in the 1970's, a friend of mine in the music business worked with legendary artist, James Brown. Years later, my friend encountered the soul singer again and remarked, "You haven't changed in 25 years! With a huge smile, James Brown responded, "If You've Got Your...
“This is all my hope and peace…” (Bonus Material for Followers)
When producing my CD, Songs for the Caregiver, I knew this song, What Can Wash Away My Sin, needed to be included. Gracie recorded this in our kitchen. Our longtime friend from college (and Grammy winning music engineer) Chris Latham came to the house and set up...
As Caregivers, We’re Not Being Delivered FROM It …but rather, THROUGH It.
So many times, we caregivers cry out to God for us to be "delivered FROM" these challenges. Doing this for 34 years, however, I'm learning that God meets us in it ...and delivers us THROUGH It. In the process, we discover our battle is not with our loved one's...