Ethyl’s children were grown. They married and moved to other towns to find employment. Her husband passed away a few years ago. She liked living in her home in her small rural village. Her home held memories of her marriage and raising her family.
It didn’t happen all at once. Her neighbors and friends noticed she couldn’t do things the way she used to. The children came home a little more often. Ethyl was a determined person. She told her children and friends, “I’m just fine.”
One cool autumn day, Ethyl was wandering along the road dressed in her nightgown. That was when family and friends realized maybe Ethyl wasn’t “just fine”. One of her daughters moved home to help mom while the family tried to figure things out.
The family soon learned they were not the only ones who have ever had to deal with the challenges of aging. Sharing was a way of lifting the burden from their shoulders. Like the Bible says in Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
The family talked about their situation. They gathered resources and discussed short term and long-term plans. They talked about Ethyl’s living situation, her finances, personal care, health care options, and any special needs. They discussed ways to keep Ethyl involved with her friends and church. The family was surprised at the resources that were available.
At first Ethyl didn’t want to discuss assisted living. The children explained the staff would make life a little easier for her and the family. They could lift some of the burdens of caregiving. This would let her enjoy being mom and grandma with the family. It would also relieve her children of the burden of being full time caregivers. Ethyl liked the idea of making life a little easier for everyone.
Moving into the assisted living facility gave Ethyl and her family comfort knowing that a burden shared is a burden halved. They learned that they didn’t need to go through the aging process alone. There are others who have gone through the aging process. There are skilled individuals who can come alongside to help with the burdens that come in this world.
The Bible gives practical advice when it says: “Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Chaplain Jeff Meyers