In sitting down to pen this blog today, the most predominant feeling is that of gratitude.  Humble gratitude for the good of today, of this season, and especially for the good of what we do as the Better People Care team.  So thank you, and we rest in these moments of gratitude:

To God, who made Better People Care an option and a reality.

To our friends with dementia, from whom we learn profound lessons every day.

To the families who have trusted us and allowed us to spend time with their loved ones.

To our own families, who have helped us become who we are so we can do what we do.

To the Better People Care team: you have each been gifts and God is good.

To Cyndi Luzinski, who opened my eyes to the reality that it is possible to get it right with dementia.

To Judy Cornish, founder of the DAWN Method, for choosing me, training me, and helping me get it right with folks living with dementia, their families, and our communities.

This, from a Better People Care team member, says it best about how our work impacts our lives:

“On Thanksgiving Day, I opted to stay in town to be with my “clients,” (more so friends to me), instead of travelling back home to be with my own family. I provided care for a gentleman with disability early in the morning and on my way back to my house, I decided to check in on a couple that I see nearly every day, B and T. Later on, I went to see another couple in their assisted living apartment and we had the opportunity to reminisce on the stories of their lives. We laughed some, we lamented some; but mostly, the three of us simply enjoyed each other’s company and conversations while they ate their Thanksgiving meal and I sat on the couch. I got to see them pucker up at the sourness of their cranberry sauce, but we laughed anyways. I checked in on my first couple again and saw the wife in the kitchen while her children cooked her a Thanksgiving meal. After seeing her with her family and children together in the kitchen, I began to feel sad because I couldn’t be in the kitchen with my family that Thanksgiving Day. I left her to her family, and I went home. I checked back in later with this first couple once their family had all gone home. I simply sat and watched a dog show while I massaged the wife’s arthritis ridden knees. We laughed at the goofy looking pugs and we spoke of her husband’s well-being. I gave her a big hug as I left, and on my way home I finally understood. I understood that it was okay to be sad to not be with my own family. I also understood that my family didn’t need me as much as my friends did that day, as I was able to bring support, joy, laughter, and well-being in moments they needed it most.”

Yep, this says it well.  We are grateful.  And we are better for doing what we do.

Sincerely,

Jill

©Jill Couch