Grounded In Spirit When Caring For Elderly Parents

I have a friend that is going through the challenging process of watching her aging mom dwindle away. Her mother is losing her memory and the ability to take care of herself the way she used to. So, I try to help when I can. For most of us it’s an issue that we will all most likely face one day.

The spiritual connection to our parents is often a relationship with a history that is very complex. Not everyone has a wonderful, loving relationship with their parents, right?  Those of us who do, should never take it for granted. We are truly blessed.

To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors ~ Tia Walker

As I watch my friend go through the process of arranging for proper care for her dear mom, I can’t help reflect on how important it is to remain grounded and in spirit when making decisions regarding our parents.

The elderly become afraid of change, scared of losing their own sense of freedom. Who can blame them? They may feel that they are at, or near the end of their life, and we can only try  to empathize. After all, we have not been in their position, have we? They may get angry, but it is only out of fear. So, we must remember this and try not to react with our own anger or frustration, which is not always easy.

After all, no matter how frustrating this process is, remember this is the person who gave you life, gave you love, and that connection, with all its ups and downs, good or bad, is one that is truly unbreakable. It will transcend beyond this life and so much of it made us who we became as adults. Our parents are our ‘first’ loves, before anyone else.

When you experience those moments of frustration and you feel you have no patience left, we can only remember to look at them through the eyes of spirit, instead of our ego. Think of how fearful this is for them. It helps tremendously and you begin to see them as the spiritual being that they are, that we all are.  They need you more than they have ever needed you before, and for us, the children, it’s time to give back and do it with as much love and compassion as we can provide. This is, after all, the cycle of life.

Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible ~ Tia Walker

I can only tell my clients and my friends, when they are faced with this scenario, do it with love, have as much patience as you can, and speak from your heart. Take care of yourself in the process and don’t feel guilty for doing so!

Don’t take anything personally, for when they are gone, you will feel so very blessed that you did all you could to take care of the person that gave you life in the first place, and you will be grateful for all the moments you share in the process.

In the end, when they have left this earth, all you will have left are those moments and memories and trust me, you will carry them in your heart forever, like a treasure.