Thanks Patrick for such a lovely story of Wilfred’s incapacitation and dependence on you his caregiver….yes you truly were the one who gave him care not ‘taking vitals’, ‘administering meds’ or ‘doing quick required checks’. You cared for him and were perfectly suited to that role, as low on the totem pole as it got. You learned how much was necessary in ‘caring’ for someone. Your heart was in the job, even the messy ones. My husband was at home 18 months ago dying from Alzheimer’s and being cared for by a live-in caregiver. I didn’t know he would pass away in 5 months but was able to watch his decline and thank God daily that he had a wonderful, caring Filipino man to tend to all his bodily needs. Poor Mac no longer could converse with me or John, but kept on living and I was touched by the care he received every single day. Thank you Patrick for caring for Wilfred, and helping him get ready for his journey home to the Father!!! God Bless you- - from a daily listener!!!
Patrick, I cried my way through this. You see, next week I will turn 65. I'm not handling it very well because I realize that I have less time left on Earth than I have lived, and being alone I often wonder if my last days will be under the care of others. I can only hope that if they are I would encounter someone as compassionate and attentive as you were to Wilfred and the others to whom you ministered. Yes, even though you didn't perhaps share the gospel with the patients, you in fact ministered to each and every one by your actions. I also learned a lot about what results from failing to act when the Holy Spirit is nudging at us. Living with the ensuing regret can often be a bitter experience.
Your story reflects my own experience as a CNA during the same time period. Looking back, it was more rewarding working as a lowly aide than a RN. All throughout Nursing school, I was employed in a long term care facility, forming special relationships with certain residents. I'm retired now, but still recall the names of several patients that taught me lessons not found in the textbooks or lecture rooms. Thank you for bringing those memories to mind!
Beautiful story. What life lessons God gave you at a young age. All I can say is that I would have run out of that facility and turned back.
Having a devotion to praying for the Holy Souls, has it ever occurred to you that they maybe asking for a Mass?
Something similar happened to me. I used to visit Mildred who was in her 90s. She died about 20+ years ago. Years later, Mildred kept coming to my mind. I knew without a doubt I was to have a Mass said but I couldn't remember her last name. I asked our mutual friend who shared that she too felt called to schedule a Mass. She told me that we both should schedule one. We did and now have just fond memories of a sweet lady.
Thank you for this touching experience with the elderly. I pray, if it’s God’s will, to be able to care for myself until the end of my life. If not, I pray for good and kind care wherever, I end up. I wish I could say that my daughters will take of me, but I don’t see that happening. They are too busy to come visit and make little effort to even call me. I pray for their re-conversion back to their Catholic faith. 🙏🎚💗💗💗🎚🙏
Thank you for sharing these people with us! Now we can all visit them through our prayers!
And I hope that you have visited their graves, now that you know where they are?
One of the wonderful things about being Catholic is that the "story" never ends on a note of sadness and regret -- our loved ones live forever and are ever interested in our doings and our thoughts and dreams. Not just that we will see them in the by-and-bye, but that we can talk to them now -- and sometimes, we can hear them reply!God is so good to us, and so encouraging of our love for one another!!
Patrick, reading this post read parallel to my own experience as a 15.5 year old taking a summer job at Aristocrat West Nursing Home in Cleveland. There was Mrs. Moore who suffered from M.S. and Mrs. Sibert who told her stories of teaching Gene Kelly how to dance as a child in Pittsburgh. I could go on but will end by saying it set my course to become a nurse. I’ve always credit that summer experience as my first step into the world of healing. Thank you for bringing a warm memory smile of so many people I cared for and learned from that summer of 68’.🕊️
Lovely reflection Patrick. I looked after my Grandma, not when I was young but after my children were grown and while she was in a facility I met several wonderful people, one who actually invited me into her home for a visit as well. I'll never forget their kindness towards me. Taking care of my Grandma was such a gift I'll always be grateful for - it was such a holy time.
Thank you Patrick for sharing your experience working with the elderly. Your story was very moving to me especially now that my Mom is in such a facility after suffering a catastrophic stroke. I thank God for the caring people who work there and tend to my Mom and all the patients. The pay is not that great for the work that these people (Certified Nurse Aides) do.
I wish I had your level of maturity at 19 and see how our Good Lord was using you back then to spread his good news.
So touching, sweet, and miraculous. My mother, who had and raised eight children (but always wanted 12!) was the first person to ever tell me that at the beginning of our lives we are helpless and at the end of our lives we are helpless, which, when she told me, was something I had never thought about before. It also reminds me of Our Lord's words to Peter "... when you were young, you dressed yourself... when you are older... others will ... take you where you do not want to go..." Such a wonderful part that nature plays in the plan of God, especially for those who attain old age, that the humiliation and suffering that often comes with getting older does so much to atone for the sins committed in the prime of our lives. We likely would have never chosen any of these necessary remedies for our selves, but the Good Lord, in his wise generosity, nevertheless visits them automatically on so many.
Wow as if it came out of my mouth too….helpless…Mom told me that and before Dad and Mom died the Lord’s words to Peter kept coming to my mind and still do now. Thank you for posting ❤️
Beautiful and touching story and may God Bless you and your Family!
Thanks Patrick for such a lovely story of Wilfred’s incapacitation and dependence on you his caregiver….yes you truly were the one who gave him care not ‘taking vitals’, ‘administering meds’ or ‘doing quick required checks’. You cared for him and were perfectly suited to that role, as low on the totem pole as it got. You learned how much was necessary in ‘caring’ for someone. Your heart was in the job, even the messy ones. My husband was at home 18 months ago dying from Alzheimer’s and being cared for by a live-in caregiver. I didn’t know he would pass away in 5 months but was able to watch his decline and thank God daily that he had a wonderful, caring Filipino man to tend to all his bodily needs. Poor Mac no longer could converse with me or John, but kept on living and I was touched by the care he received every single day. Thank you Patrick for caring for Wilfred, and helping him get ready for his journey home to the Father!!! God Bless you- - from a daily listener!!!
Thank you, Jeanne! And may your beloved husband rest in peace.
Patrick, I cried my way through this. You see, next week I will turn 65. I'm not handling it very well because I realize that I have less time left on Earth than I have lived, and being alone I often wonder if my last days will be under the care of others. I can only hope that if they are I would encounter someone as compassionate and attentive as you were to Wilfred and the others to whom you ministered. Yes, even though you didn't perhaps share the gospel with the patients, you in fact ministered to each and every one by your actions. I also learned a lot about what results from failing to act when the Holy Spirit is nudging at us. Living with the ensuing regret can often be a bitter experience.
--Emily
To you Patrick and all the good people who replied to your story,
Thank You and God Bless!
Patrick...Loved this story. I listen to you everyday and love what you say.Thank you.
Your story reflects my own experience as a CNA during the same time period. Looking back, it was more rewarding working as a lowly aide than a RN. All throughout Nursing school, I was employed in a long term care facility, forming special relationships with certain residents. I'm retired now, but still recall the names of several patients that taught me lessons not found in the textbooks or lecture rooms. Thank you for bringing those memories to mind!
Beautiful story. What life lessons God gave you at a young age. All I can say is that I would have run out of that facility and turned back.
Having a devotion to praying for the Holy Souls, has it ever occurred to you that they maybe asking for a Mass?
Something similar happened to me. I used to visit Mildred who was in her 90s. She died about 20+ years ago. Years later, Mildred kept coming to my mind. I knew without a doubt I was to have a Mass said but I couldn't remember her last name. I asked our mutual friend who shared that she too felt called to schedule a Mass. She told me that we both should schedule one. We did and now have just fond memories of a sweet lady.
Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Thank you for this touching experience with the elderly. I pray, if it’s God’s will, to be able to care for myself until the end of my life. If not, I pray for good and kind care wherever, I end up. I wish I could say that my daughters will take of me, but I don’t see that happening. They are too busy to come visit and make little effort to even call me. I pray for their re-conversion back to their Catholic faith. 🙏🎚💗💗💗🎚🙏
This is so touching. Thank you for this, and all you do. Blessings & prayers, to you & yours.
Thank you for sharing these people with us! Now we can all visit them through our prayers!
And I hope that you have visited their graves, now that you know where they are?
One of the wonderful things about being Catholic is that the "story" never ends on a note of sadness and regret -- our loved ones live forever and are ever interested in our doings and our thoughts and dreams. Not just that we will see them in the by-and-bye, but that we can talk to them now -- and sometimes, we can hear them reply!God is so good to us, and so encouraging of our love for one another!!
Patrick, reading this post read parallel to my own experience as a 15.5 year old taking a summer job at Aristocrat West Nursing Home in Cleveland. There was Mrs. Moore who suffered from M.S. and Mrs. Sibert who told her stories of teaching Gene Kelly how to dance as a child in Pittsburgh. I could go on but will end by saying it set my course to become a nurse. I’ve always credit that summer experience as my first step into the world of healing. Thank you for bringing a warm memory smile of so many people I cared for and learned from that summer of 68’.🕊️
What a powerful story and moment in your life! We never know how God will use the kindness shown to others. Thank you for sharing!
Lovely reflection Patrick. I looked after my Grandma, not when I was young but after my children were grown and while she was in a facility I met several wonderful people, one who actually invited me into her home for a visit as well. I'll never forget their kindness towards me. Taking care of my Grandma was such a gift I'll always be grateful for - it was such a holy time.
Thank you Patrick for sharing your experience working with the elderly. Your story was very moving to me especially now that my Mom is in such a facility after suffering a catastrophic stroke. I thank God for the caring people who work there and tend to my Mom and all the patients. The pay is not that great for the work that these people (Certified Nurse Aides) do.
I wish I had your level of maturity at 19 and see how our Good Lord was using you back then to spread his good news.
Blessings to you and staff at Relevant radio.
So touching, sweet, and miraculous. My mother, who had and raised eight children (but always wanted 12!) was the first person to ever tell me that at the beginning of our lives we are helpless and at the end of our lives we are helpless, which, when she told me, was something I had never thought about before. It also reminds me of Our Lord's words to Peter "... when you were young, you dressed yourself... when you are older... others will ... take you where you do not want to go..." Such a wonderful part that nature plays in the plan of God, especially for those who attain old age, that the humiliation and suffering that often comes with getting older does so much to atone for the sins committed in the prime of our lives. We likely would have never chosen any of these necessary remedies for our selves, but the Good Lord, in his wise generosity, nevertheless visits them automatically on so many.
Wow as if it came out of my mouth too….helpless…Mom told me that and before Dad and Mom died the Lord’s words to Peter kept coming to my mind and still do now. Thank you for posting ❤️