A huge thank you to whoever first suggested this book. I got it at the library yesterday and read the whole book before bed (some parts more than once). Some little way into the book, it seemed like I started to wake up, or feel a little more like "me"—not so dead inside. It was like pulling the curtains back when you had been sitting in the dark. It just felt GOOD.
I'm working on my list of twenty wishes now. Don't know how they will work out, but certainly if I don't decide what I want and how I want my life to be, and start working toward it now, even if it's in very small ways, the chances of ever having that (different—and hopefully better) life are vanishingly small.
Has anybody else read this book? Did it make you want to make some changes too?
When the book was suggested, I put it up on the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - as the recommended book of the week. It's still up there. I ordered a used copy, but haven't received it yet. I am so glad that it helped you.
Under the discussion topic - "Joan's Blog - Caregiver Power", some of our members said that they couldn't think of anything that they would like to do or that would give them "me" satisfaction and pleasure. I hope everyone reads the book and feels inspired.
deb112958-- Start with 1 or 2. They don't have to be big. Wishes can be added or modified to fit you now. You can even make a new list if you accomplish the 20 you start with. The main thing is to start. Make the effort to do something you have always wanted to; or want to try; or wantr to learn; or go to a place you've always wanted to see. Even a baby step is propgress. You want to see a certain place. Too expoensive to go there now--go to a travelogue about that place. Every time you do somthing to add to your list or make something on the list become reality, you're building your future---making progress toward the eventual transition we'll all face.
You want to hear something really far out there? After I wrote the Caregiver Power Blog, I wrote to my friend, who is a dynamo personality - she writes books, speaks all over the world, and has a psychology practice. And she's a spousal caregiver (with a lot of family help). I told her that "post caregiving" we should get ourselves in tip top shape and try to get on the Amazing Race reality show. What an exciting experience that would be. Can you picture two 60ish women racing all over the world? She loved the idea.
I downloaded the book on my Kindle last night ($5.00 plus). The premise reminds me of the "Bucket List" in a way. The idea of choosing 20 things to wish for seems absolutely delicious! Some of my wishes might have to wait a bit - for instance I really want to go to an Ohio State football game again (my alma mater - Go Bucks!). On some level, it doesn't seem fair to choose things that my DH cannot participate in - but that is the nature of this dreadful disease...
I ordered it. hope it comes by Friday, we are leaving for florida for a few weeks. i'm taking him on a cruise which will stop in Costa rica. His younger son moved there several yrs ago, and it looks like that's the only way he'll get to see him, wile he still remembers. (no support there thank God for my kids, especially my son in law). Anyway, I'd love to read the book on the ship, so I really hop it arrives. I have 5 items on my wish list already, 5 grandies whom I've promised to take on a trip when they reach 16. The oldest is 14 and we plan to go to China. then I have a 12, 10, 9, and 5, so I do have time to save up (grin) I hope at least one of them will want to go to Egypt, or I'll have to go alone.