P is for Purpose

We often wonder what our purpose is and want our lives to have meaning.  I never once imagined that I would be a carer, having to make the decisions for my mums life and dealing with the responsibility.

I have always been an organised person, loving lists and order.  I love organising the lives of others and my previous job as an Executive PA addressed the need for these skills in making sure my boss was where he needed to be at the right time or the conference went smoothly.

I saw the skills transferring to my own business when I was made redundant.  What I also had to do was transfer the skills I used in all my jobs and refit them making them fit for purpose as a carer and constantly remind myself how far I have come.  As we gather new experiences to deal with the tasks at hand we are equiped with additional skills for the next challenge that will come.

What challenges have you faced and found you were able to deal with when you really got down to it?

Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood, O is for Opportunities 

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.

O is for Opportunities

 Mum on holiday in Portugal

In life stuff happens and we have to look for the opportunities that can present themselves, and these are often disguised under all the rubble and the dust.  There were times during the early stages of mum’s dementia that I really didn’t know what to do and felt lost and alone, I just wanted it all to stop.   I didn’t think that I could get through it, and certainly couldn’t or didn’t feel that I could look forward to anything but increased stress, it is not to say that the stress of it has all disappeared, I have just had to learn to deal with things differently.

The thing that helps me through is to focus on the things that mum can do and celebrating this.  She loves to dance and sing, she became enthusiastic about going out so this calls for new adventures and she is willing to come along.  It is my opportunity to create new memories that we will all be able to look back on and smile, show the grand kids and great grand kids what she was like despite the illness, and for us to enjoy the time we do have with her.

Life’s opportunities don’t always come packaged the way we would like, but very often these are the most memorable ones.

Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is for Identity, J is for Judgement, K is for Knowledge, L is for Love, M is for Motherhood, N is for Neighbourhood

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day - 307 - 313

Growth

If we don’t grow we stand still, wither and fade away.  When we don’t use our mustles they become weak, if we don’t continue to learn and use our brain our cells die off.  A child grows up to be an adult and has responsibilities.  What area in your life do you need to turn the spotlight on to encourage growth?

Day 307

Reflection 

You have blessings waiting for you!

Quote 

Art is not to do with the practical side of making a living. It’s to live a fuller human life. ...Henry Moore 

Scripture 

Delight yourself in the Lord; an He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Day 308

Reflection 

Today matters!

Quote 

Art is an experience, not an object....Robert Motherwell

Scripture 

The Lord isgood, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Day 309

Reflection 

Miracles are waiting to happen – open your eyes!

Quote 

Wander a whole summer if you can. Thousands of God’s blessings will search you and soak you as if you were a sponge, and the big days will go by uncounted....John Muir

Scripture 

I am the vine, and you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit. John 15:5

Day 310

Reflection 

You have wonderful things happening in your life.. 

Quote 

The key is to trust your heart to move where your talents can flourish. This old world will really spin when work becomes a joyous expression of the soul.....Al Sacharov

Scripture 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Day 311

Reflection

There is a time and a place for everything, and everything in its season

Quote 

Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have

such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.......Claude Monet as a young painter 

Scripture 

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing 1 Peter 3:9 

Day 312

Reflection 

There are blessings waiting just for you

Quote 

Art is a language. It’s not a skill. It’s not a stunt. It’s not something that you just learn to do and put it down. It comes from the heart. ...Wynona Mulcaster

Scripture 

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. Psalm 127:1

Day 313

Reflection 

Everyone who truely knows you believes in you, do you believe in yourself?

Quote 

Good art speaks truth, indeed is truth, perhaps the only truth...Iris Murdoch

Scripture 

The Lord longs to be gracious to you....He waits on high to have compassion on you.  Isaiah 30:18

N is for Neighbourhoods

A view from Parliament Hill Fields, over looking the City of London

When we were growing up as kids you knew all your neighbours and they looked out for you.  We were always scared of doing something wrong as dad seemed to know everyone and it might get back to him and then we would get in big trouble.    I remember riding with my brother on our pale blue scooters, doing wheelies, feeling free - not the slightest idea of what changes were to come. Defying the ‘NO BALL GAMES' sign and playing football, climbing walls, laughing out loud with the other kids on the adventure playground, flying kites and so many adventures on Parliament Hill Fields.  It is very different now, as we have grown older, some grey hairs are peeping and the knees are not quite what they used to be. The neighbours have passed away and the new families now living in isolation, a quick hello then they rush behind closed doors to find sanctuary.

Last year, one Saturday afternoon mum was dropped off early from her day centre and before anyone could get there she decided to go for a wander with a 'new' neighbour holding the door open for her.   When the police arrived I felt annoyed by what seemed like pleasantries, and routine reassurance, we just wanted her back.  We scoured the streets for hours and paced the floor wondering how she would cope when it got dark - we were sick with worry. The doorbell rang, and mum waltzed in with two strapping police men laughing and joking "hope to see you again" she said .....She was found 5 miles away, having crossed several large roads and taking a bus ride.....What can I say!!  She never has told of her own adventure but we were thankful that the people she talked to on the way had the foresight to realise she was lost and call the police.

Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, F is for Fear, G is for Guilt, H is for Health Professionals, I is forIdentity, J is for Judgement K is for Knowledge, L is for Love,  M is for Motherhood

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.