Though I am looking forward to my personal retreat next week over a period of 10 days, I know one part of me will remain at home because I am quite concerned for my loved ones especially my parents and grandma.
When I came back, grandma went into my room and asked how come I have not given her her monthly allowance. I brought her to her room, closed the door, sat with her on the bed, and tried to help her recall this morning when I passed her the money which I asked her to place them in her favourite bag which she has held for years.
It is quite interesting that she has never taken that bag out of the house except within the confines of her room. It was apparently a gift by my late grandpa a few months before he passed on. He died in his late forties and grandma has been widowed since then. She told me this story when I was quite young.
Anyway, she knows exactly where she places that bag. When I mentioned it to her, she knew what I was referring to. This small bag has been with her for almost forty years.
I asked her to bring it out of the cupboard. She did. I asked her to open it. She did. When she saw the money in there, she then remembered. She apologised and said that she has been forgetful lately.
I told her it was okay and I prayed with her. I asked God to help my grandma not to get frustrated when she cannot remember. I also prayed that she will always go to God in prayer when she starts to think of negative or unpleasant things. I also requested for His protection upon grandma and that she will continue to enjoy each day of her life. Before I closed the prayer I asked of God to take care of her when I am away.
I was overwhelmed with tears suddenly. Just as much as I have to make the difficult decision to leave my family for a while (just to make sure that my spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well-being are in check), I know it is also not easy to just go like that.
After I interceded for grandma, I went into my own room and just kept quiet for a while. I could sense God's comforting hand upon me and this peace that He would take care of grandma, mum, dad, my brother and sister.
I know He will.
On my way home after having dinner with two dear siblings-in-Christ in Geylang Serai where we had beef kebabs, Ramly beef burgers and putu pirings, I headed for the Circle Line to take a train home. I was listening to some music and reading a book. Being engrossed in them, I did not notice I had taken the wrong escalator. I boarded the train when it arrived and when it stopped at the next station, I realised it was heading the wrong direction.
I crossed over to the other platform and boarded the next train. I alighted at Serangoon Station to change to the North-East Line. This time I boarded the right train but I alighted at the wrong station. I forgot that between the station I am supposed to alight and the one I boarded the train from, there is one new station which has just opened.
What an adventure.
Just in case some of you may be wondering why I asked grandma to keep the money in her favourite bag... well, people with dementia remember things which happened years ago. Since this bag has been with her for so long, I thought this would help her remember better so that she does not keep her valuables all over her room. I also know they would be safe in there since she does not bear to bring the bag out of the house.
As a caregiver I am basically trying my best to help grandma in the current state she is in. I always try different methods and if they are of help to her, then praise the Lord for them.
There are more to share but I shall leave them to another day.
Good night, everyone.
When I came back, grandma went into my room and asked how come I have not given her her monthly allowance. I brought her to her room, closed the door, sat with her on the bed, and tried to help her recall this morning when I passed her the money which I asked her to place them in her favourite bag which she has held for years.
It is quite interesting that she has never taken that bag out of the house except within the confines of her room. It was apparently a gift by my late grandpa a few months before he passed on. He died in his late forties and grandma has been widowed since then. She told me this story when I was quite young.
Anyway, she knows exactly where she places that bag. When I mentioned it to her, she knew what I was referring to. This small bag has been with her for almost forty years.
I asked her to bring it out of the cupboard. She did. I asked her to open it. She did. When she saw the money in there, she then remembered. She apologised and said that she has been forgetful lately.
I told her it was okay and I prayed with her. I asked God to help my grandma not to get frustrated when she cannot remember. I also prayed that she will always go to God in prayer when she starts to think of negative or unpleasant things. I also requested for His protection upon grandma and that she will continue to enjoy each day of her life. Before I closed the prayer I asked of God to take care of her when I am away.
I was overwhelmed with tears suddenly. Just as much as I have to make the difficult decision to leave my family for a while (just to make sure that my spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well-being are in check), I know it is also not easy to just go like that.
After I interceded for grandma, I went into my own room and just kept quiet for a while. I could sense God's comforting hand upon me and this peace that He would take care of grandma, mum, dad, my brother and sister.
I know He will.
On my way home after having dinner with two dear siblings-in-Christ in Geylang Serai where we had beef kebabs, Ramly beef burgers and putu pirings, I headed for the Circle Line to take a train home. I was listening to some music and reading a book. Being engrossed in them, I did not notice I had taken the wrong escalator. I boarded the train when it arrived and when it stopped at the next station, I realised it was heading the wrong direction.
I crossed over to the other platform and boarded the next train. I alighted at Serangoon Station to change to the North-East Line. This time I boarded the right train but I alighted at the wrong station. I forgot that between the station I am supposed to alight and the one I boarded the train from, there is one new station which has just opened.
What an adventure.
Just in case some of you may be wondering why I asked grandma to keep the money in her favourite bag... well, people with dementia remember things which happened years ago. Since this bag has been with her for so long, I thought this would help her remember better so that she does not keep her valuables all over her room. I also know they would be safe in there since she does not bear to bring the bag out of the house.
As a caregiver I am basically trying my best to help grandma in the current state she is in. I always try different methods and if they are of help to her, then praise the Lord for them.
There are more to share but I shall leave them to another day.
Good night, everyone.
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