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What Will Your Memories Look Like This Merry 2020 Christmas

What Will Your Memories Look Like This Merry 2020 Christmas

by myconcretedove | Dec 23, 2020 | Christian, Family

Enjoying the Christmas tree in the early morning hours has been an early Christmas gift and become my December 2020 morning ritual. I’ve created morning space for myself for a while now, but it’s been special lately. My time alone in the morning is sitting...
Confessions of a Caregiver Episode Two – She’s Got Talent!

Confessions of a Caregiver Episode Two – She’s Got Talent!

by myconcretedove | Feb 8, 2020 | Christian, Confessions of a Caregiver, Family, Five Minute Fridays

This post is part of the Five Minute Friday blog link-up! Each week Kate Motaung provides a one-word writing prompt for participants to free write for five minutes flat and share their work with the online community. This week’s prompt is TALENT. You can also find in...
Eradicate Microaggressions and Clear a Path Toward Deeper Understanding

Eradicate Microaggressions and Clear a Path Toward Deeper Understanding

by myconcretedove | Nov 7, 2019 | Blog, Christian, Family, Prayer

Microaggressions are lurking among us just waiting to spill out and offend someone, and I’ll bet you didn’t know they were there. Recognizing microaggression is the first step to eradicating them from our conversations and, more importantly, from our...
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Are you having a tough day?⁠ ⁠ As a family car Are you having a tough day?⁠ ⁠ As a family caregiver, I know that we suffer through tough days–even tough seasons. Can you relate?⁠ ⁠ I love this quote because it encourages us to embrace happiness along with suffering. Wait, what?⁠ ⁠ Think about it. Suffering and joy can coexist. ⁠ ⁠ You can find joy while you endure the fatigue and physical and emotional pain of caregiving. Ask God to show you how.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #encouragingquotes #quotesforcaregivers⁠ #caregiverquotes⁠ #bejoyful⁠ #joyinthelord⁠ #embracejoy⁠ #familycaregiving⁠ #familycaregivers⁠ #caregiverburnout⁠ #caregiverlife⁠ #caregivertips⁠ #caregiverstrong⁠ #caregiverselfcare⁠ #selfcareisnecessary⁠ #selfcare101⁠ #takecareofyourself❤️⁠ ⁠ ⁠
It's mindful monday. Being a family caregiver is It's mindful monday. Being a family caregiver is often very challenging. Sometimes it's just plain hard physically & emotionally. So, we all need time to recalibrate, and practicing mindfulness is one way to do it. 🍂Try spending some time in the garden. 🍂Notice the birds and the breeze. 🍂It's almost fall, so there are new flowers, different from spring flowers. 🍂Or, maybe there's a plant you'd like to bring inside for the winter. Make some time to put it in a new pot. 🍂You may not have a garden but there's probably a park or garden close by you can visit. Take just a few minutes to anchor yourself in the present moment and appreciate the gifts of the garden. . . Do you enjoy time in a garden? . . #beingmindful #selfcare101 #31daysofselfcare #selfcareforcaregivers #takecareofyourself❤️ #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulmondays #mindfulmonday #mindfulnessmatters #enjoyyourday #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #caregivertips #caregiverstrong #worldalzheimersmonth #mindfulgardening #mindfulgarden #gardenformentalhealth #enjoygardening
💪Be strong and courageous, my caregiving friend 💪Be strong and courageous, my caregiving friends. You are not alone. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV https://joshua.bible/joshua-1-9 . . 💜Drop a heart in the comments if you need prayer today. . . #lessstressed #stopworryingstartliving #findingjoyinthejourney #strongandcourageous #beencouragedtoday #caregiversjourney #caregiverjourney #alzheimersjourney #caregiverstress #alzheimerscaregiver #WorldAlzMonth #worldalzheimersmonth #prayerispower #powerinprayer
🧠Alzheimer’s-- Did you know that making art h 🧠Alzheimer’s-- Did you know that making art helps? 💜 September is World Alzheimer's Month. According to @alzinfo, the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation: "The process of making art, and appreciating art, not only may be helpful to anyone with Alzheimer’s disease, but to those who care for them as well." (2017) 🎨🖌Why not give art a try? 🖼 Of course, it will take some planning, and you'll need some supplies, but not a lot to get started. The benefit of creating art may just improve your quality of life and your care recipient's life, as well. 💜 I saw art bring my sister's joy. She loved doing projects. My watercolor class starts today, and I can't wait. It's not about being perfect. Painting has helped me process caregiving stress, grief, and helped me incorporate mindfulness into daily life. Do you have a creative outlet? . . #worldalzheimersmonth #alzheimersmonth #alzheimerscaregiver #alzheimerscaregiving #alzheimersawareness #alzheimersinspiration #caregiving #caregiverjourney #familycaregiver #familycaregivers #youarenotalone #creativityhelps #creativeselfcare #createandcraft #artforhealing #artforhealth #artformentalhealth #artformentalwellbeing
🍞 It's a pumpkin bread kind of day in Michigan. 🍞 It's a pumpkin bread kind of day in Michigan. I started Mindful Monday by baking. 🧁Here's a tip about mindful baking: "Baking is a perfect way to practice mindfulness. To successfully bake a cake, some biscuits or a loaf of bread, we need to pay close attention to the recipe."- The Mindfulness Project 😌 Shifting your focus to something other than your own situation can relieve stress. 👍And you get to reap the benefits later. 🧁Here's another tip: Use Bisquick baking mix. I love using Bisquick because it prevents so many mistakes.🤣 Even better! Are you a baker? . . Credit: @londonmindful https://www.londonmindful.com/blog/tips-for-mindful-baking/ . . #beingmindful #selfcare101 #31daysofselfcare #selfcareforcaregivers #takecareofyourself❤️ #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulmondays #mindfulmonday #mindfulnessmatters #enjoyyourday #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #caregivertips #michiganfall #caregiverawareness #familycaregiver
🧠𝟏𝟎 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢 🧠𝟏𝟎 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚⁠ ⁠ 1. Memory loss⁠ 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks⁠ 3. Problems with language⁠ 4. Disorientation to time and place⁠ 5. Poor or decreased judgment⁠ 6. Problems keeping track of things⁠ 7. Misplacing things⁠ 8. Changes in mood and behavior⁠ 9. Challenges understanding visual and spatial information⁠ 10. Withdrawal from work or social activities⁠ ⁠ ❌𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜. ❌⁠ ⁠ 💜If you think these problems are affecting your daily life or the life of someone you know, you should talk to your doctor or seek more information from your national Alzheimer's or Dementia association.⁠ ❓️ Did you learn something new about Alzheimer's/Dementia today? September is World Alzheimer's Month. Use it as a reminder to learn more. . . Go to www.alzint.org .⁠ .⁠ Credit - Alzheimer's Disease International (www.alzint.org)⁠ .⁠ .⁠ ⁠#KnowDementia⁠ #KnowAlzheimers⁠ #WorldAlzMonth⁠ #caregiving⁠ #caregiver⁠ #familycaregiver⁠ #familycaregiving⁠ #caregiverlife⁠ #caregivejourney⁠ #alzheimercaregiver⁠ #alzheimerscaregiver⁠ #alzheimerscaregiving⁠ #alzheimersawareness⁠ #alzheimersinspiration⁠ #alzheimersjourney⁠ #worldalzheimersmonth2023 ⁠#KnowDementia⁠ #KnowAlzheimers⁠ #WorldAlzMonth⁠ #caregiving⁠ #caregiver⁠ #familycaregiver⁠ #familycaregiving⁠ #caregiverlife⁠ #caregivejourney⁠ #alzheimercaregiver⁠ #alzheimerscaregiver⁠ #alzheimerscaregiving⁠ #alzheimersawareness⁠ #alzheimersinspiration⁠ #alzheimersjourney⁠ #worldalzheimersmonth2023
September is World Alzheimer's Month Every perso September is World Alzheimer's Month Every person is unique, and dementia affects every individual differently, with no two people experiencing symptoms in exactly the same way.⁠ Symptoms also vary by type of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common type of dementia.⁠ Nothing is simple about Dementia or Alzheimer’s. . . Go to www.alzint.org to learn more. (Credit) Photo credit: Almos Bechtold on Unsplash . . #KnowDementia⁠ #KnowAlzheimers⁠ #WorldAlzMonth⁠ #caregiving⁠ #caregiver⁠ #familycaregiver⁠ #familycaregiving⁠ #caregiverlife⁠ #caregivejourney⁠ #alzheimercaregiver⁠ #alzheimerscaregiver⁠ #alzheimerscaregiving⁠ #alzheimersawareness⁠ #alzheimersinspiration⁠ #alzheimersjourney⁠
🧠September is World Alzheimer's Month 💜 The 🧠September is World Alzheimer's Month 💜 The truth is that AD is around 24/7/365. 💜It can happen to anyone. 💜Alzheimer’s Disease is not a part of normal aging. 💜 Educate yourself to find out what you can do to lessen your chances of getting AD and be better prepared if you do. 👉Start here: Alzeimer’s Association—www.alz.org Alzeimers disease International www.alzint.org . . Drop a 💜 in the comments if you know someone with AD or who is caring for (including you) someone with AD? . . Click on the link and bio to download your free Family Caregivers Survival Guide. . . . #worldalzheimersmonth #alzheimersmonth #alzheimerscaregiver #alzheimerscaregiving #alzheimersawareness #alzheimersinspiration #caregiving #caregiverjourney #familycaregiver #familycaregivers #youarenotalone❤️ #alzheimersawarenessmonth
Are you coasting? ⁠ ⁠ 🤔 Well, after a long Are you coasting? ⁠ ⁠ 🤔 Well, after a long season of full-time caregiving and loss, that’s where I am, just coasting. Retired and only part-time caregiving for my mom (94). No plans for the day. No projects on the horizon, just some much-needed rest.⁠ ⁠ 😑Sure, the freedom and flexibility have been fun. Is it fulfilling? Lately, not so much. ⁠ ⁠ Even though I have the extra time now, I’m a writer who hasn’t written much except on Wednesdays.⁠ ⁠ ✍🏻On Wednesdays, I gather together with other writers online. We discuss projects, bounce ideas around, and pray for one another, but mainly we WRITE. ⁠ ⁠ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 writing group, hosted by @dalenebickel, keeps me in a writing mindset. Thank you for being there every 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟬 & 𝟮 𝗘𝗦𝗧! ⁠ ➡️If you are a writer looking for community, subscribe here – https://www.subscribepage.com/inkwell⁠ ⁠ Each week, I write a little more than the last. I’m encouraged by this community of writers who motivate each other to start again. To write the next line, chapter, blog post, or book. ⁠ ⁠ I’d have given up on writing if it weren’t for 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗸𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 writing group. Instead, I’m working on my next blog post. ⁠(link in bio) ⁠ ⭐️Just because you stopped writing (painting, dancing, creating, or you fill in the blank) doesn’t mean you can’t start again.⁠ ⁠ 𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪.⁠ ⁠ 🎙Guess what? Dalene also hosts the Ink & Impact podcast and Facebook group. Find out more @dalenebickel.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ 😞Next time, I'll tell you how a Voxer group kept me writing through some difficult caregiving days. . . #writeforlife⁠ #writeforyou⁠ #iamwriting⁠ #stillwriting⁠ #findyourcommunity ⁠ #inkandimpact⁠ #inkandimpactpodcast⁠ #keepwriting⁠ #writinggroup⁠ #grievingprocess⁠ #griefprocess⁠ #writingthroughgrief⁠ #processinggrief #caregiversjourney⁠ #caregiver⁠ #caregiverstrong⁠ #iamacaregiver⁠ #familycaregiver⁠ #familycaregivin ⁠#getgoing
💜 It's MINDFUL MONDAY. ❓️Have you tried Br 💜 It's MINDFUL MONDAY. ❓️Have you tried Breath Prayers? 🙏 Christianity Today (CT) calls it a “miraculous process.” Simply use a favorite verse, like this: 1. Breathe in, “Rejoice in the Lord always;” 2. Then breathe out, “again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 ESV) 🫁 According to WebMD, deep breathing for even 30 seconds can “help you feel more relaxed and in control.” Breathing techniques can help you: 🌸Relax and aid sleep ❤️Lower blood pressure 😫Destress 😌Practice mindfulness 🧐Regain focus 🫁Control breathing (by counting or repeating a verse) 👌Regain control in a stressful situation 📍Be present 🧘‍♀️Aid in meditation Are you using breathing techniques as part of your Mindfulness Monday? 🗓 Get yourself care calendar-link in bio. Credit: https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-box-breathing https://www.christianitytoday.com/women-leaders/2018/february/take-time-for-breath-prayer.html . . . #beingmindful #selfcare101 #breathprayer #scripturemeditation #breathingexercise #breathingtechnique #31daysofselfcare #selfcareforwomen #selfcareforcaregivers #takecareofyourself #enjoyyourday #caregiverburnout #caregiverstress #caregivertips #caregiverstrong #caregiverawareness #familycaregiver
Remembering my sister. It’s been about a year si Remembering my sister. It’s been about a year since…⁠ ⁠ 💜My sister, Michelle, who had Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s had already been with us for a few years before Alzheimer’s started taking its toll, stealing bits and pieces of her day by day. ⁠ ⁠ Then, in the spring of 2022, even with her superpower smile, it became clear that Michelle’s needs outmatched my ability to meet them (or when I admitted it, anyway).⁠ ⁠ That’s when my brother and I began looking for alternatives for her care. Then, after months of searching, we finally found a nursing home near us that seemed nice, accepted her insurance, and had an opening. ⁠ ⁠ We moved Michelle in on August 26, 2022. It was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make as a caregiver and sister and one of the saddest days of my life. 🥹⁠ ⁠ Yes, I was still her caregiver, only caring differently, ensuring others were doing what they’d promised and filling the gaps when they didn’t.⁠ ⁠ 🌅 But all was not dark. Through it all, Michelle's smile brightened our days. I saw God use my sister in powerful ways I would not have known without stepping into the caregiver’s role. Nor could I have walked a single step without trusting God to walk through it with me. ⁠ 💔 On January 12, 2023, almost one month after her 58th birthday, Michelle peacefully passed away. But I'll always remember that smile. ⁠ If you are in a heavy caregiving season (or coming out of one), I pray that you, too, will trust God to walk through it with you. ⁠ If you are or have been a caregiver, drop a 💜 in the comments so I can pray for you. .⁠ .⁠ 📧 Caregiver Strong is a monthly newsletter offering encouragement to family caregivers.⁠ Link in bio to sign up. .⁠ .⁠ #familycaregiver⁠ #familycaregivers⁠ #familycaregiversupport⁠ #caregiversupport⁠ #caregiverstrong⁠ #monthlynewsletter⁠ #encourageothers⁠ #inmemoryof⁠ #grievingsister⁠ #grievingprocess⁠ #caregiverjourney⁠ #alzheimersjourney⁠ #alzheimerscaregiving⁠ #caregiverjourney⁠ #inmemoryof⁠ ⁠#prayerhelps #powerinprayer #trustinhim ⁠
Family caregivers, it's Mindful Monday. ⏳️ S Family caregivers, it's Mindful Monday. ⏳️ Start the week off by taking a few moments for yourself. Take five minutes and just breathe... 🌞Try to sit outside, take off your shoes, and feel the grass under your feet, close your eyes, feel the breeze, and listen to the world. 🌸 Or you could just sit outside, not take your shoes off, and enjoy all the same things. Will you try this? . . . #familycaregivers #selfcareforcaregivers #selfcareisimportant #caregiverstress #selfcareforwomen #31daysofselfcare #caregivinglife #selfcareisapriority #selfcareis #caringforparents #caregiverlife #iamafamilycaregiver #iamacaregiver #beingmindful #selfcare101 #takecareofyourself #mindfulnessmonday #mindfulnessmatters #enjoyyourday #justbreathe
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