Help: A Collection of Stories By Those Who Care

For everyone who would like to make a positive difference in the life of a caregiver in need, I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Help: A Collection of Stories By Those Who Care. Revenue from book sales will be used to fund CareGifters , a wonderful program of Caregiving.com, (owned and operated by Denise Brown). As often as possible, $500 will be awarded to assist a family caregiver to minimize or resolve a care giving dilemma.

“Help is a collection of essays (and one poem) from family caregivers who write about their perspectives on help: Getting help, giving help and asking for help. We also feature a series from Kathy, who writes about the struggle to take a break from caring for her husband. In her essays, she walks us through her thoughts before, during and after her break.” (excerpt from www.Caregiving.com)

I’m so happy to include that I am one of the contributing writers for this book.  My story tells about learning to ask for help.  As a caregiver, I felt that I was required to be Superwoman, able to handle every crisis and need by myself.  As I matured, I learned that it’s okay (and even healthy) to ask for assistance.

CareGifters second book will feature stories about the funny experiences that occur during the caregiving day. For this theme, Comedy, share a story that made you giggle or guffaw (or both).  Submissions for the Comedy book are open through March 23. You can submit an essay, short story, narrative or poem.  For more information, http://www.caregiving.com/2012/02/call-for-submissions-your-comedies-for-our-next-book/

Feeling Like a Winner!

Start each day by giving God thanks for His goodness. Whenever something good happens, remember to thank Him and give all the praise to Him.  (borrowed from Joel Osteen Ministries)

Former FaithWriters blogger Lynda Lee Schab’s debut novel, Mind Over Madi, is out this month.   Along with a sneak peek into her book, Lynda was generous enough to have a giveaway for one lucky reader of the FaithWriters blog.   I have been selected as the lucky winner!   To read more about her book, go to http://faithwriters.com/blog/2011/11/22/mind-over-madi-includes-giveaway/     Thank you, Lynda!

I entered Kohl’s “Love to Give, Happy to Save” contest and they notified me that I have been selected as a Bi-weekly Prize winner.  My prize: $500 donation from Kohl’s on my behalf to Feeding America and a $100 gift card to Kohl’s for me.  Thank you, Kohl’s!

 

 

 

 

“Living Outside the Bubble”

“Many years ago, when the physician said that my son Joe, who had type 1 spinal muscular atrophy, perhaps would live until 2 years old, I went into “Rambo mode,” ready to attack anything that got close enough to harm him.

But as the years went by and Joe’s health held stable, I silently vowed I would do my best to allow him to live outside the sterile little bubble I had created around him…”    http://quest.mda.org/article/living-outside-bubble

Please read the article I wrote for Quest, MDA’s Research and Health Magazine, on the subject of encouraging my son to be his own most effective advocate.  Feel free to post your feedback on the subject of self-advocacy.

 

To access full article:  http://quest.mda.org/article/living-outside-bubble (Quest Magazine, Fall 2011 Issue)

 

 

 

 

Have you seen the stink bugs this year yet?

Here’s a look at the corner of my door this afternoon.  Covered with stink bugs.  My husband and I are working to seal every little opening that we can find to prevent these bugs from overtaking the inside of our home this year.  Last year, I was killing 10-20 at a time inside!

Along with sealing up the “nooks and crannies” where the bugs might enter, we are praying for God’s intervention.  I’m believing that God will take care of fighting off this nuisance on my behalf.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.  (1 Peter 5:7, New Living Translation)

Let’s not take our blessings for granted

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)

 

Last week as I kept hearing warnings about the impending possibilities of Hurricane Irene affecting our area, I didn’t really take any action ahead of time.   I did purchase a few cases of bottled water.   As I watched the television coverage of the approaching storm, I began to wonder if I should have bought more groceries or prepared a little more thoroughly.  But I did pray for God’s mercy and protection on my family and friends, our community and surrounding locations.

 

Once the storm hit, I must admit that the pounding rain and fierce winds were a little scary.  All thr0ugh the night, I keep waking up and seeing the blinking light on my electric toothbrush and was reassured that we still had our electric service in tact.     I woke in the morning to my husband suggesting I’d better get up if I wanted a hot cup of coffee.  The power had just gone out.   That was about 7:30 on Sunday morning.  I was one of the lucky ones — my power was restored about 4 hours later.   Some of my family and friends are just now having power restored.

 

We had some tree limbs in the yard but we were so fortunate there was no major tree or property damage.  Living in the middle of the woods is always a little uncertain with high winds.

Thank you, God, for your protection over us as this roaring storm swept through our area.    We pray for those who have been more severely affected.  Your blessings are overflowing and we are grateful for your peace and comfort during this time.

 

 

 

My brother-in-law, Carville

Carville Phillip Holmes

September 13, 1936 – July 21, 2011

On Thursday July 21, 2011, Carville Phillip Holmes of Street, Maryland passed on to be with the Lord.   Husband of Tina Holmes, father of Carville (Skip) P. Holmes, Jr., of Looneyville, W.Va., Tony E. Holmes of Street, Maryland, Tim S. Holmes of Fawn Grove, Pa,.  Michael A. Holmes of Street, Maryland, Lori (Sis) A. Reichert of New Park, Pa., also survived by 10 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren, brother- William Holmes of Jarrettsville, and sister- Catherine Ebright of South Carolina.

Visitiation will be Monday July 25, 2011 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM from the North Harford Baptist Church, 4008 Old Federal Hill Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland  21084.  Service will be from the church Tuesday July 26, 2011 at 10 AM.  Interment in Bel Air Memorial Gardens, Bel Air, Maryland  21014.

Charitable donations may be made in Carville’s memory to the following organization:

North Harford Baptist Church
4008 Old Federal Hill Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084

(From the E. G. Kurtz & Son Funeral Home website, www.kurtzfh.com.   Condolences to the family may be expressed at that site.)

My Uncle Bill

William Leslie Savage
February 6, 1934 – June 11, 2011

On June 11, 2011, William Leslie Savage, 77, passed away at Montgomery General Hospital
in Olney, Maryland. He was the beloved son of the late Park Franklin Savage and the late Anna
Tucker Savage. He was the cherished brother of the late Joanne Ruth Custer. He is survived by
brother-in-law, Frank Custer, nieces Debbie Button (and her husband Bob Button) and Bonnie Custer and nephew Bill Custer. He is also survived by great nephews Bob Button and Bill Custer and great niece Jenn Button and great, great nephew Brian Button. He was predeceased in death by great nephew Joe Button. He is also survived by aunts Ada Jones (and husband Jim Jones), Alveira Tucker and Evelyn Tucker and uncle Gene Tucker (and wife Mona Sue Tucker).

He served in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in March 1956 as an Airman Second Class.