Filling 3 Cups!

I got this information from a care giver's seminar conducted by Bruce McIntyre of Sunbeam Family Services, OKC. He has ministered to the needs of his wife dealing with an autoimmune disease/illness.

3 Cups Caregivers need to consider filling.

First - The relax/re-energize cup. There needs to be something that the caregiver does like weekly trips to Starbucks, or exercise, or a hobby. Something that offers a regular refreshing or break. I time to clear your head. For me this is my new-found exercising hobby and my recent running.

Second - Who are the people you need to let in to fill the cup of caring friends. List 3 people that you need to foster their friendship. Caregivers tend to withdraw from close relationships just when they need them most.

Third - Get the needed outside help for tasks that are overwhelming. In our circumstances it is lawn care and house cleaning. I am taking a step forward with this one and have found a 16-year-old, Andrew, who will be mowing my parent's lawn this summer. Hallelujah!

It really helped to attend the seminar and take a look back at what ways I could begin to fill these cups for both myself and my dad!

Well, today was a respite day for dad. A day to enjoy his grand kids and get out of the house. For four hours a respite worker, Mae Moore comes to play games with mom, so dad can have a much needed break. He got to go the barber and get some hot shaving cream! While he got his hair cut in one chair, Justus, age 5 got his new doo in another. It was a great grandson & Papa moment!

I went to a caregivers seminar at a local church last night. I got a lot of great ideas and insights. I'll be posting more later this week.

My husband, Sean is out of town in Philadelphia with his new job, so things are CRAZY WILD!!! I have lots of great information to share and will be posting soon. If anyone ever needs to contact me for insight and information, feel free to e-mail me at sommerzone@sbcglobal.net

Thanks to everyone who cares!

Carol