choosing a 'word' for the year.
at the beginning of this year
i chose the word
compassion.
my mother in law was in a rest home
battling alzheimers
and my husband and i were visiting
every day and making sure her needs were met
and that she was happy.
it was time consuming and stressful.
my husband was sad,
as he watched the daily decline of his mom
as was the rest of the family.
there were days when i wanted to scream
because, i felt the burden and stress of it all.
my husband was buried in the stress and worry
and it took a toll on us as a couple as well.
(not my proudest of moments) :(
and then one day, as i sat thinking of what word
i would pick for this year, a small voice whispered
compassion.
to have compassion on my mom in law
who was sick and couldn't help it.
it wasn't her fault she was so needy-
then there was compassion for my husband
and his siblings, because they were losing
someone they loved dearly, and it was so very sad.
as i grasped onto the word compassion,
i felt my heart swell into something new.
something had broke free.
i was able to let go
and compassion grew in it's place.
i wanted to go visit mom, and love on her
as much as i could,
because i knew without a doubt
that our days with her were numbered.
she passed away only two short months
after i had chosen the word, compassion
and i have absolutely no regrets.
i was there til the very end with her.
my heart was full of compassion
and love for this lady
who had been such an amazing woman
in her prime!
she not only raised 5 boys but, adopted
two girls...and worked her fingers to the bone
on their dairy farm and in her amazing garden!
this woman deserved admiration and praise
and i was so thankful to have her in my life.
i am also thankful that compassion
won in the end
that i was able to give her
the love and the respect
that she so dearly deserved!!
compassion.
we all need it in our lives.
we all should give it as well
as get it.
a lesson i learned
am so glad i did.
