Published: November 30, 2007 11:41 am            

The Yield: Driving home the point of sharing similar experiences

Originally published in the November 30, 2007, print edition.

“Come away with me Lucille in my merry Oldsmobile...” Stan and I chuckled as the “old timey” piano music laughed from his computer. The player of the song embellished it with flourishes and superfluities. It cheered our hearts on a dreary November day.

Stan had been busy on websites looking for 1903-06 Curved Dash Oldsmobiles. He found a fun site that had plans for making the car. “Wouldn’t it be fun to make one?” he asked. I thought of the past winter days in his cozy shop and agreed.

He began compiling information from websites, until he had a three-ring binder full of information. His creative mind could imagine the plans, the building and the finishing of the car. He agreed with some of the plans and decided to take the best parts from each and add a few ideas of his own.

There were photos of the cars in parades. “Wouldn’t it be fun to take it to a nursing home to give people rides?”

I remembered the time my Mom got a ride on a motorcycle sidecar. The nurses so enjoyed her enthusiasm of the adventure, that the story was repeated to each of us as we visited Mom. If we could bring such joy ... “Maybe we could give rides at St. Luke’s Nursing Home and your Mom’s senior living home.”

The website invited us to visit related online sites for vintage clothes, accessories for building the cars: lights, springs and wheels. There were examples of authentic classic cars plus replicas that today’s consociates enjoyed building.

Along with all this excitement, I was asked to speak on the radio commemorating Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this November. What an exciting time, visiting with all the folks at KDUZ in Hutchinson. I was encouraged to write my book for caregivers.

Later in the month we visited Menard’s to get materials for our car. I saw an elderly woman pushing her husband in a wheel chair.

Her expression was so sad. Tears came to my eyes.

“Are you a caregiver?” I ventured.

“He had a stroke five years ago. Sometimes I think I just can’t take it,” she said.

I know encouragement can be a kind look or word, or just asking, “How are you doing?”

A hug and shared tears are good, too. So many of you have written over the years sharing your own grief and encouragement. I have felt so helpless. Some of you have asked for copies of the articles.

There didn’t seem to be time for that. There were times I could hardly get out of the bed in the mornings. I want to encourage you out there who feel lonely and forsaken. I can attest from your e-mails, letters and phone calls that you are not alone. It is just that we need the support of others. We are intensely focused caring for our loved ones. That is what isolates us.

Stan and I have both been through the difficult time of care giving followed by the death of our spouses. Now we have an opportunity to share some of what we have learned with others in similar situations.

When I get tired of working on the book including my journey on care giving Larry and building a new life with Stan, we can work together on the “car project.”

Sometimes he comes in and helps me write. It works for us.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 KJV

Thinking about The Yield: Yields are the results of our actions. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

1. What kind of harvest do you reap when you carry another’s burden?

2. What determines your yield?

        

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