With Alzheimer's in our home, I've experienced a dichotomy of feelings concerning people in our lives. Pleasant surprises, disappointments and questions.
We've received gifts of love from friends who call to check on us, cards/letters of concern, friends who bring food surprises, friends who pray for us. Friends who stay with David so I can go to the doctor, hairdresser, Sunday school and grocery store. Friends who offer help.........THANK YOU!!!!!!
With so many who are there for us,...... why does it hurts so much when I think of those who've stepped out of our life. Most days it doesn't hurt, some days it hurts.
Which leaves me with these thoughts written by Leo Buscaglia.
The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word , a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.
(Sooooo handsome....)
God is good, and I am thankful for the love I feel in my life, from my friends and family.........Thank you!!!
God is good, and I am thankful for the love I feel in my life, from my friends and family.........Thank you!!!
20 comments:
Handsome as you are beautiful dear friend. I share your feelings with people stepping out of our lives. I sometimes wonder do they think it is catching?? Honestly, I think it makes them so uncomfortable they choose to stay away. It is truly sad. Hope you and David have a good day tomorrow. Hugs!
Oh Dolores, don't I know this feeling well!
Your Leo Buscaglia quote means so much to me because no other living soul I know knows who he is!! We have so much in common it scares me!!
My two favorite quotes of his are these:
A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.
Leo Buscaglia
and
The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position.
Leo Buscaglia
Be you. Be true to you, your family and David. Those who have "stepped away" are not the kind of friends we need anyway. Would you step away from a friend in this situation? No. So don't fret my friend, and you ARE my friend, just unfortunately at a distance.
Much love,
barbara
It is sad when people step out of our lives...but you never know...they might pop back in at a time when you need them even more...it is great you have friends and family around you....have a great weekend...
Dolores, May I "steal" this quote from you and post it? I ahd an incident yeaterday with a "friend" who said a VERY hurtful thing. I would like her to see this. Is that OK????? I will understand if you don't want me to do this. You can e-mail me. szpinky@aol.com XO, Pinky PS, not only is David handsome, you are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!
You look so beautiful, Dolores. You look like Elizabeth Taylor in that photo...Christine
Lovely quote and photo, Dolores. Best wishes, Jenny
Oh Dolores, it is so sad that people just walk out of our lives without a backward glance. I wonder how they viewed our friendship when times were good if now when things are not so good they can dismiss us. True friends (and family members, too) are there no matter what.
I love the quote you posted. I will not walk, I will not waver, I will be there, my friend.
What a meaningful quote. I was nodding throughout. I'd like to say that you are wise to focus on the friends who are there for you both. Then I would like to confess that I have not always been there for others. It's a character flaw or a "I must protect myself from this sorrow" flaw. It might surprise you to know that the one who isn't there may be the one who cares the deepest and can NOT handle it well enough to support you. Sad. Very. I'm going to call a friend later today just to say hello. Thank you for providing me with my deep thought for the morning. Love to you...
It can be so hard to understand when some of the most wonderful people back away in situations....we are always so surprised. It is terribly sad but many just don't have the words to 'speak' in what they consider the right way...so they don't. As Leo says, we all have something to offer...even if it's not earth shaking. Love that quote.." I will not walk...
Peace to you today.
Hi Dolores. You're very pensive today. I know people that have come and gone in my own life, too. I think some people just don't know how to handle things, they don't know what to say, and so they back away. Their turn will come and I don't say that in a vengeful way. Perhaps they have not had to walk through the fire yet, but when they do, they will most likely come out on the other side able to help those behind them. Of course this is not true for everyone, for there are "irregular" people out there. You just concentrate on those that ARE there and don't dwell on the ones who are gone. Don't waste your energy on them. Sounds to me like you've got some loving, concerned friends there for you. I hope you two have a good weekend, good memories, no incidents, good worship, and remember "the One who sticks closer than a friend"... Sending big hugs your way...
Vickie
I wish we lived closer so I could "step back in" and help and offer support. You are special people. Take care of yourself, Dolores.
"LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them." Psalm 10:17,18
Christ even cried out, "Why have you forsake me." He knows this lonely feeling, yet overcame it. When it hurts that those special people are not there for us, our LORD knows. He will never leave us or forsake us.
Dolores, I feel for you as we experienced the same thing - even to this day. Co-workers and family have "forgotten" Wayne. Truly one finds out the real gems in our lives. Sending love .J
What an absolute beautiful quote! I can understand both the hurt...and the blessed feelings.
I agree with Christine by the way!!
Love you,
L~
OMG! you looked like Elizabeth Taylor the minute I saw you, so gorgeous! David was very handsome too, you both look as beautiful as movie stars. Such a lovely quote and I feel like that too about the hurt and the blessed, thank you for sharing it, this is made so much sense to me right now! God bless you, David and all the people in your lives that love you and help you. Have a sweet weekend.
FABBY
Thank you so much for your lovely visit as always, I love it when you come. I wanted to say, someday, you will be so very welcomed to come over and visit, are very welcome! Lots of hugs.
FABBY
Gorgeous Family!!!
And try not to worry about those that couldn't stay...the weak Always fall away...
We're here for you sweet friend...for all the good we try to do and say...
(((HUG)))
HI darling, I'm not sure why we have to experience the things we do, they are so hurtful, no warning no answers. You are so fortunate to have close friends by to help you out when errands and such need to be done. Living in a house of two alone is a strange feeling, those looking from the outside in always manage to say, I know what you're feeling what you're going through. Girl, they do not have a clue, there is no way to describe what we live, each of us have our own challenges we meet each day, some gracefully, others not so much. Constantly asking ourselves why. Guess I'm mawdling a bit here. Girl you know I love you. The path each of us is traveling right now is a long one, had sharp curves and a few tunnels. I pray today you'll have a sunny path one filled with lots of laughter. hugs ~lynne~
oh that is a really cute picture and the "qoute" is great!
Thank you soo much for sharing and i hope you have a great weekend!
Leontien
I just saw this gorgeous picture of you both and came to visit it again; where you both look 'movie star handsome' and you specially like Elizabeth Taylor. I showed it to Alejandro and he was in shock at your resemblance to the star...your star shines more than hers, my friend.
Love,
FABBY
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