I heard a message today entitled “GREAT EXPECTATIONS”, especially presented for this time of the Christmas Season. As I so often do, as the message was delivered, I related it to this infernal disease we call AD and especially for the Caregivers like us. The life we are living is certainly not what any of our expectations for these later years have become. We bemoan our situations and the sad life our LO’s are now serving, I can’t call it living. I think of Joan and her dedication to this web site she has created. With all her training and skills, I am sure she had other planes. But look what she has produced and how many people it is helping. I like to think that the life I now live is also some kind of A Witness for other people to see and learn something about Love and Care we need to have for each other.
This message, here at Christmas, started off with children’s expectations to what they might receive at Christmas time. So many of the clothes, shoes, and necessities that they might receive certainly does not meet their expectations. The message than draws a parallel to the Jewish people who were expecting a Messiah much different than what they got. They got a Savior instead of a mighty King.
It made me think of us, the Caregivers to AD patients. Neither of us expected our current existence. But I take some gratifying satisfaction in my being able to be a Witness as my faith commands me to be. So many people have come up to me and tell me what an influence I have been on them and their family. I take Carol to Church and Sunday School every Sunday and they get to see first hand what AD has done to my DW. They are all so sweet to her and it use to be the highlight of her week. Now, she still likes it but does not really understand what they say of what is going on, but she likes it. I can tell it is not our GREAT EXPECTATION but I still see some very positive impact we are having on other people. We are Blessed.
If you would like to watch this message, copy the address below and paste it on your web address box and enter. Then click for 12/20 message entitled “Great Expectations”.
http://www.lakepointe.org/Message/Default.aspx
I wish each one of you, my new friends, a very Happy and Special Christmas, bill
Bill, I love your message regarding the faith of your DW. Mar is very religious and I have always respected her faith and participated while we raised our children. It broke my heart when she didn't have the resolve to continue going to church. ( she is a devoted Catholic) I arranged with father to come once a month to give her holy communion and of coarse he was happy to ablige. At this most holy time of year I remember times we shared with our children going to church and rejoicing in the spirt of Christmas This year we will stay home and try to make it through the day. Our children 26 and 28 didn't follow her in the faith but we are all very devote Christians. We will celibrate Christmas quietlly at home and give thanks to all we have left. This will be the first Christmas that we will celibrate the things that matter instead of what the world has trained us to enjoy. No tree, presents, just family apreciating what we have. I will take this oppourtunity to wish all of my ciber friends a very Merry Chrismas and a happy new year.
Please read the thread Loving Fearlessly, it speaks to what you are both talking about. This may be the last Christmas for my DH. With FTD moving in so quickly, the future is so uncertain. I was living in fear until I read this article. Now I am doing my best to Love and LIVE Fearlessly. My you both have a blessed Christmas and a New Year that brings small bits of joy each day. Arms around Susan