Self-Preservation Tips?

Yes, unfortunately, due to my travel back-and-forth to care for my mother, I lost my job and with that my health insurance. I’m still a resident out of state, and I can’t seem to find any sort of safety net here. I’ve been searching for free clinic options, but was just told that if needed, I should go to ER, because the local clinic doesn’t have appointments available until June! Believe me, I even tried CVS MinuteClinic, which I’ve used in LA in urgent situations. However, they don’t offer MinuteClinic at the local CVS in this area. Go figure.
I’ve always taken good care of myself, but this situation is taking a great toll, and it makes me realize how many people are struggling & falling through the cracks due to the healthcare/lack of, & the insurance gouging in this country. It is a major political greed issue and it’s very concerning. On top of the rest of that mess.
Again, thank you so much for the communication. It helps. Trust me. I feel like I’m living in some kind of a strange limbo.

@gratia

To get out of a "strange limbo," or to avoid being "checked out mentally," I try to find something that inspires a moment of joy or wonder everyday, realizing that it's the little things that count when one is an exhausted caregiver.

You may not be "overwhem[ed]" by Jesus or some other Christ figure, but you can still find wonder in everyday life no matter how draining, frustrating, and gut-wrenching it is to be a caregiver. Here's a daily meditiation for those of who believe:

"Let Jesus Overwhelm You with Wonder

By: Whitney Hopler

Bible Reading:

'As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.' - Mark 9:15, NIV

When you really look at Jesus, you see the wonder of God’s work in this world. In Mark 9:15, people caught a glimpse of Jesus, and they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. They didn’t hesitate or worry about what others might say about their enthusiastic response. They simply let themselves be inspired with awe when they encountered Jesus.
It’s easy to lose a sense of wonder when you’re dealing with the stress of living in this fallen world. Responsibilities pile up and demand your attention. You get used to going through your routine, doing what needs to be done. You may be working so hard that you start to think about enjoying wonder as a luxury you can’t afford with your busy schedule. If so, your life will shrink down to the level of your to-do list. You’ll miss the greater perspective of the wonderful work Jesus is doing around you.

Don’t let that happen to you! Jesus hasn’t stopped working in amazing ways, just like he did during biblical times. Jesus is still inspiring people with awe on a regular basis. The question is: are you looking for him?

Wonder doesn’t always appear with dramatic miracles. Often, wonder happens through everyday miracles. You can find wonder in quiet yet powerful ways, like through a colorful sunset, someone’s act of kindness, or a sense of peace God gives you during a challenging situation. "

Wishing you better days ahead.

George's Wife

@georgescraftjr I love what you wrote to a fellow caregiver and yes you are so right, wonder happens in small ways every day. I'm sitting down at the PC this morning, getting my daily fix on this connect site, and I'm reflecting on a holiday sermon I heard, about having the COURAGE to tackle anything in front of us, the CLARITY to know what to do, even when we're unsure, turning to God's light to help us during the day. I felt God was talking to me in that sermon, and telling me that all the upsetting, challenging things that rocked our world last year would be okay: my husband's MCI surprising diagnosis, MOLD in the house, where we had to move out, all of our belongings into storage, everything packed and nothing available to us. Gosh, what do people do where their houses burn down or flood? We're in a rental now, unsure of what's next, other than fixing our damage, with denied insurance, but I'm looking outside, seeing the sun, this steady stream of slow-rollling water, and it's quiet, and for that I'm thankful, this morning. Courage, Clarity, and God's light to help us through the overwhelming (and calm) days and the overall loss of self. Believe, every day, the wonder of knowing, "we are not in this alone.