A man who was near and dear to me suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. Initially, it took his mind, leaving only the shell of the man, and then it snatched that, too. In the interim, it turned ugly and undignified. My dad spent three years in a care center for Alzheimer’s patients and that, along with the 15 years my mother was in various assisted living residences, offered me ample opportunity to view caregivers up close and personal. I watched as they offered a compassionate ear to a woman who cried all the time because her son never came to visit (though he had just left). I saw them painstakingly feed others slowly, then attempt to brush someone’s teeth who had long since forgotten what a toothbrush was and thus, clenched his teeth out of fear. These caregivers change adult diapers, clean up messes, dole out medications, do unending mountains of laundry all the while making sure patients don’t wander off and get injured. The list of things they do in any given shift is both exhausting and overwhelming. And, who even says, “Thank you”? If not a family member, then who? Never mind that they are often paid minimum wage and can barely make a living.
How is it that we are spellbound over an athlete and his abilities, an actor who plays a role, some favorite politician or author, but we stumble over the “little people” – the ones who are watching over our loved ones, or picking up our garbage so it doesn’t stack up, or cleaning our houses or filling our fast food order? We virtually worship some and ignore the others.
Which is harder: dribbling a basketball, or cleaning up after a dementia patient who is attempting to use a trash can as a bathroom?
What we have attached importance to is so out of whack! We have put a high price on some and completely de-valued others.
For what it’s worth (and it’s worth everything): God never does that. He views us as equal. He loves us the same and treats us as His beloved children. Why can’t we do the same?
“Do not pervert justice or show partiality…” (Deuteronomy 16:19)
“Show proper respect for everyone.” (1 Peter 2:17)
Thank you Teri. Great reminder of those that deserve our respect. Mental disease of the aged is sad. Thank the Lord we’ll get to meet everyone on the other side whole in mind and body. Thank you Lord!
This is so good, Terry! All I can say is “Amen” and what you shared is “worth a lot.”❤
Oh my, I love this thought today Teri! Having walked the Alzheimers care road with my father, I could very much relate to the million little things the care givers provided, day in and day out. For the past few weeks we have marveled at our Olympic athletes and this comparision is so spot on.
Praise God for your caring and thoughtful reminder about what is truly important.
Amen Amen Amen…..and I pray that I don’t ever forget this, and that I take the time to recognize those who deserve it – no matter what they do. Thank you for the reminder.
At Christmas time each year I would see my husband chasing down the trash man to give each one of them a gift card with a message about the Birth of Jesus. When I asked why he saw this as so necessary he said because they perform such a needed service yet we so often forget them. Your story reminded me of my husbands heart for the unnoticed. I pray I will see others as Christ sees them. Thank you Teri
“For what it’s worth,” it costs nothing to say “thank you.”
I love this so much! At Christmas and the end of the school year I always ask the kids if there’s someone they would like to bless at their school, in addition to their teachers. Both times, for Vivian it was her special lunch lady. This woman had such a wonderful impact on her and she was so grateful to be recognized. <3 Regardless of the compensation, what we do matters.
What a wonderful reminder of those little things we don’t think of. Thank you Teri.