Here are some of the
things we can take
note of as we take care
of our loved ones:
1. Be Spiritually
Strengthened
This is a journey we cannot
do alone. We need God's
help, both for ourselves and
for our sick loved ones. Our
days may be filled with so
many things to do, but we
must make time even for
short prayers. Prayer will
remind us that we have
Someone who watches over
us, that there is a Father to
whom we can go to when we
can take no more.
If it possible to pray the
rosary with your sick family
member, set a routine in
which both of you can pray.
Even if the sick person is too
weak to participate vocally,
let him participate in silence
as he listens to you. In this
way, even your loved one is
strengthened spiritually.
Attend mass and be
strengthened by receiving
the Eucharist. If your loved
one is too sick to go to mass,
request for a lay minister to
bring him communion at
home.
2. Have Patience
With Yourself
No matter how hard you try,
there will be days when you
may not be able to control
your temper or when you
may make mistakes you
never intended to make.
Have patience with yourself.
Distressing yourself over
your faults cannot make
things better. What's
important is to rise from your
falls and carry on.
3. Be More
Understanding
Our sick loved ones may
become impatient too with
their situation and they may
not always be in a good
mood. They may even
become depressed. As
much as we want them to
think positively, we must
give them as much
understanding as we can
given their current
limitations. We must ask for
the grace to be as
compassionate as possible,
to love as Jesus Himself
loves the sick and the
suffering.
4. Take Care
of Your Health
There may be a lot of days
when taking care of your
loved one would require you
to sleep late or even not to
sleep at all. But you must
remember to rest and to
take care of your own health
whenever the situation
permits it. Eat a healthy diet.
Do some exercise. Walk
outdoors for a few minutes
to get some fresh air. Not
everything may be possible,
but always do what you can to
take good care of your health.
5. Ask For Help
Our own strength may not
always be enough. We must
seek the help of others like
family and friends so we can
also take a break and renew
our strength. We must also
have people we can talk to
when our trials become too
difficult for us to bear in our
own hearts. It helps when we
know that someone is
listening to us or that
someone is able to
understand what we're going
through.
If it is possible, we need to
assign somebody to be an
assistant or a second in
command to us, someone who
can take over for us whenever
we can't be in charge anymore
for one reason or another.
6. Take It One Day
At a Time
Worry can never empower us
in this journey. We must learn
to live one day at a time. And
when things become too
difficult, we must learn to live
one moment at a time. Solve
only the problems that need to
be resolved for the day. Do
whatever tasks are possible at
the moment. Don't think of the
many days ahead. God
provides for what we need
today. Surrender your worries
to Him who can take care of
all your tomorrows.