Unsung Heroes

Unsung Heroes

As I was looking for a song the other day, I came across the above song: “Heroes” by The Isaacs. It made me think of my family. The past six years have been quite rough…in so many ways. Sometimes I can be very selfish. There have been days, even months when I would be swimming at my own pity party. I would be so wrapped up in my own pain, sadness, sorrow, and suffering that I never thought once what my family was going through. Chronic Illness doesn’t just affect the person suffering, it affects the whole family. There would be times when I would look into their eyes and I would see pain, sadness, and sorrow too. For a part of the wife, mother, and grandmother that they once knew is gone. It took me a while to realize just how hard it has been on them. Their lives are now wrapped up in how I am feeling. What I can and cannot do. There have been times they couldn’t even have a simple conversation with me. Between the pain, illness, and medications they have all left their toll on this old body, mind and even my spirit. Through it all my family has stood by me, even when at times I had been cruel to them. Even as I am writing my eyes well up with tears when I think of the love and compassion they have given me, even when I didn’t deserve it. It reminds me of a quote: “People need loving the most when they don’t deserve it.” How true. This makes me think about the way the Lord loves us. Though we don’t deserve it he loved us so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place just so we can live forever with him!

Caregivers are truly unsung heroes. I believe that I would not be here today if it were not for my loving and patient husband, Jim, and daughter, Heather. They have had to care for me in ways that loved ones shouldn’t have to do. Not at their ages (nor mine). But through it all they continue to minister…care for me. To top it all off… they even say it is a privilege to do so. I think I am a burden…but they think it a privilege! Yes, caregivers are truly pictures of God’s grace, mercy, and love!

Thank you Jim, Heather, Karl, and Travis! I love you all more than words can say. My Heroes!

Thank you Caregivers! Our unsung Heroes!