Dad keeps calling one of the hefty aides at the Veteran's Home a boy or man. I keep telling him that it's a lady, and he shouldn't call her that, because she'll get her feelings hurt-she's just stalky. Fortunately for Dad, she's there to support him. It takes someone strong to be able to lift him out of his wheel chair and onto the toilet or the bed.
I try to explain to Dad that he's got to quit calling her that. When he tells me that he's been short with her, he almost sounds proud of that. It's so different from the Dad I knew growing up. He went out of his way to teach us to be sensitive to the needs of others, to be polite to everyone, no matter who it was or how much they weighed.or their ethnicity.
Here is this young woman, who is risking her back every time she lifts him, and he's sometimes rude to her. Although he's not a mean spirited person, he doesn't realize that he might be hurting her feelings. Every time I go there, I look at her to see if I pick up on her being disgruntled, but I don't see that. She still comes to get him when he pushes the buzzer. Maybe she doesn't understand what he's saying, which would be a blessing unto itself, or maybe she's just a very gracious young woman who takes pride in what she does for the veterans.
Regardless, I have to stop worrying about it, because I can't change it. I am very blessed, because the staff at the Veteran's Home are outstanding! They treat Dad with respect, even when he may be in a cranky mood. I guess it's unrealistic of me to think he wouldn't feel cranky from time to time. I know that sometimes I feel that way, so I just need to be more understanding and pray that this nice lady is never hurt by his comments. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Colossians 3: 21
Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.
I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:
Caregiving Video: Montessori Students Help Seniors With Memory Loss
By: Wood County Committee on Aging, Bowling Green University, Jennifer Hover, BG Montessori, Sentinel Tribune Video via You Tube
