The Ultimate Caregiver

I learned a valuable lesson today about faith, patience, hope, and charity as I visited my friend Doug and his wife today. I really believe his wife and I are soul sisters. I think we were best friends in heaven. & even though she now has advanced dementia, she’s got a light shining through her that touches every person. 

But I want to talk about Doug & his light. 

He shows up for his wife, every. single. day. 
As her caregiver, he feeds her breakfast, reads the bible to her, sings some songs, and takes her for walks.
He carries conversations that she can no longer be a part of, helps her get dressed, and explains things to her over and over and over.  

Every day. 

And because of her dementia, his wife forgets that he comes to see her within minutes of him leaving. He loves her endlessly and expects nothing in return. 

After our visit today, I was asking him how he’s doing. 

He said to me, “ya know, loving someone this much is completely unfathomable until you experience it. and for God’s greater plan, for some reason, we’re having to go through this.”

he continued, “I would rather not go through this, and being (at the facility) every day, watching every person there deteriorate is hard, but we have our faith. I am clinging to my faith in God and His plan because I know this is happening for a purpose.” 

Doug is the ultimate example of patience in trials. Faith in tribulations. Hope for something better. Loving infinitely. 

I learned a valuable lesson today from someone who taught me a little bit more about Christ’s character.  The ultimate Caregiver.