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Dear Friends

March 2014

Week of March 17, 2014
Prayer Requests

Sometimes 'Caregiving Sacrifices'
Come Before 'Lenten Sacrifices'

Dear Friends,

Over the years we've pointed out to caregivers that this particular Lent, in the middle of helping their loved one, might not be a time when they can make their usual Lenten sacrifices.

God knows, and caregivers are often reminded, that caring for another person can mean making sacrifices. At the very least, it can mean less sleep, less of "your own" time, and less peace of mind. (It can take deliberate effort and deliberate acts to relax. Or try to.)

None of this is to say you don’t want to help your loved one. But "wanting to" doesn’t mean it’s easy. Then, too, when you’re overwhelmed not just by your caregiving duties but all your other responsibilities, too, it can be natural and normal to not want to. Not right now. Just not now.

That feeling doesn't mean you're a bad caregiver and it doesn't mean you're a bad person. It means you're human. And, it probably means you're overloaded. Sometimes that's unavoidable but . . .

We humans can't constantly operate on "overload."

At a calm time (yes, those come, too), consider what caregiving duties you might be able to have someone else do. (Pick up that prescription, for example. ). And think about household tasks you now might do not as well or as frequently as you would like to do or would normally do. ("Spring cleaning"? Not this year. Maybe not even vacuuming this week . . . or next.)

As a caregiver, your obligation is to take care of your loved one . . . and yourself.

These three Topics/Fliers talk more about this:

Exhaustion: Care for the Caregiver

Respite Care

God Knows Caregiving Is Hard

You remain in my prayers.

 - - -

Again we cordially invite you to join the Friends of St. John the Caregiver! (FSJC's programs include YourAgingParent.com and CatholicCaregivers.com.) You can find out more about becoming a member here.

No meetings, no dues. All we ask is that you pray for caregivers and those receiving care. Our members include caregivers, care-receivers, and those who support both (including quite a few former caregivers).

You can:

sign up on-line here

or call us toll-free at 1-800-392-JOHN (5646)

or print and mail an application form.

God bless you!

                                                  Bill

Past 'Dear Friends" Letters