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.

M is for Motherhood

Limosine ride in Florida

As a mother there is a perception that you would automatically be able to care, you nurture and grow your young and care for the elderly - sometimes you want to switch the button off and care about yourself.  As I adapt to the growing maturity of my 16 soon to be 17 year old son who at times thinks that he knows everything and wants to do it all himself and be independent with his talk of learning to drive, university, living abroad etc.... I know I have to let go in order for him to grow.

I don't always see myself as a carer, the term can be so impersonal aren't we all supposed to care? I understand the term carer attempts to represent the variety of roles that are undertaken, but it still falls short, all the books in the world still can't prepare you for the emotional rollercoster ride you experience.  What has been helpful has been sharing with those who have been in a caring role who can speak frankly about their experience.

It can sometimes feels like I have been given responsibility for a fully grown 'child' like in the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  I battle with knowing the 88 year old woman who use to be independent wants to do everything for herself but can't.  I watch her drift off in thought and wonder if she contemplates about those unfulfilled dreams she had when she was younger.

Mum talking on the radio about Mothers day

My overriding joy I have as a mother looking after my mother is that I may not be able to give her the dreams of things she wanted to do when she was younger, perhaps I can help her achieve those things that she never dreamt she would be doing.

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, 

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.

L is for Love

A trip to Portugal 2008, mum decides to show everyone how it's done!

I have grown to accept the changes that happened and will continue to happen in regards to my mothers health.  Before I understood how dementia affected the brain I thought mum was doing things on purpose –  moving and mislaying things, or saying insensitive things to hurt.  I realised that her love for me had not changed and neither should mine for her.  You can’t see the dementia but only experience the effects of the illness and so it's harder to come to terms with the person that you love changing.  You have to learn to put all that aside.

I feel the child in me wanting to be loved in the way mum used to express it, with hugs and caring words, or a soothing song at bedtime.  We have to now embrace the children we are inside remember to nurture the hurt we feel at the loss of those we love.

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

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.