THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF LOVE

I have been deeply blessed by an abiding and long-term love relationship with both of my parents. Our love has carried us through all the passages of our lives, including the most recent one of my parents moving out of their home of 33 years to a retirement community.

As I write this, I have spent almost four weeks of the past eight in Dallas. It began with a family meeting with my mother and brother that resulted in a decision by all of us that it was time for my parents to move to an easier living situation. We moved Dad first to a skilled nursing facility – a move that was hard for him to understand given his dementia and love for sitting at home in his recliner by the crackling fire. It was wrenching when it happened, but I felt supported by my family and friends and could see God’s hand all along the way.

I can now report eight weeks later than my father is very comfortable in his one room filled with his own furniture and just frequent enough visits from family, friends and nurses. Yesterday I enjoyed seeing him smile at the sight of a homemade apple pie with cheddar cheese that I prepared and brought to him.

Blessed by the teamwork of my husband Joe and daughter Anna over the Christmas holiday, we successfully moved Mom to an apartment near Dad. What could have been viewed as burdensome was done out of love for Mom. One unexpected blessing was a strengthened bond between my husband, daughter and me. Another was extra time with both of my parents to talk and work together to achieve our goal.

What began with my parents’ love for each other has been passed down to me and to my family. Love is what really matters in the end, and I am thankful time and again for this blessing.

— Sara Freund

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist