Blessed are the Caregivers
Who love and tend us in rough times.
Pay attention to the Caregivers
They give much to others, but who takes care of them?
**
Blessed are the Cared
Tended and loved by the Caregivers.
We would be lost without them
And their great faith that we will heal.
**
Comes a day, unexpected,
When the Caregiver becomes the Cared
And the Cared becomes Caregiver
Two grateful souls reflected in each other.
**
Dedicated to our friends David and Sandra, and to Natalie Scarberry, whose inspirational blog tends her readers’ spirits. You’re all in my prayers.
Cynthia Reyes 
Beautiful photos, and words. Thank you!
Thank you, Lavinia. I always enjoy reading your updates about your music, home life and the farm. You do so much to support local musicians, and you encourage all your readers to do the same.
In so relatively few, but carefully chosen words you touch on such powerful shifts which can happen in our lives when we become vulnerable through needing or needing to give care. I have been on both sides and each role offers opportunities to grow. I managed adjusting to someone who used to be always there for me, suddenly needing my help, quite badly, at first. It is not easy to say that, but it is true.
Thank you for such a thought provoking post.
Karen, thank you for picking up those themes of vulnerability, change and reciprocity. It is quite a jolt, when the roles shift suddenly. Then they shift again (in my case) and we are both caring each other through a challenging time.
In recent years, we’ve had some big glimpses of what it must be like to be old and vulnerable, and we can only hope that we’ll be around to keep helping each other when that time comes.
‘At some point in their lives, nearly half (46%) of Canadians aged 15 and older, or 13 million Canadians, have
provided care to a family member or friend with a long
‑term health condition, disability or aging needs’ http://www.ccc-ccan.ca/media.php?mid=378 I think we need a display of flowers like the poppies in London to represent just how much care is given. Imagine 13 million flowers! And that’s just in Canada.
You brilliant woman, you! I just mentioned to Ann the fact that our aging population is leading to a whole lot of caring going on. But I never thought of anything like your fabulous idea.
In Ottawa, we have the tulip festival, part of the relationship between Holland and Canada to commemorate Canada’s great help to that country during WW2.
Hmmmm… you’ve got me thinking.
That must be a lovely festival. Interestingly, though, according to the article I read the greatest number of caring hours are given to a spouse. I always imagined it would be for elderly parents but apparently that is not so.
Me too.
That’s a surprise.
Thank you for this post Cynthia. When the caregiver becomes the cared and the cared becomes the caregiver is so relevant and reflects much about us we may not have realized was there. Wonderful lessons and reflection available if we are open and observe when spending time in the shoes of both.
Thanks, Ann. As our population ages in Canada, there’s going to be a lot of caregiving/caring and a lot of being cared for. It’s a rare person who’ll be untouched by this.
Caring can be anything can’t it? A parent for a child and vice versa, for neighbours, and, for me this past year, and you too though in reversed positions, our partners caring for each other. Thank you never seems enough.
Lovely flowers and a huge bouquet to the carers.
Yes, indeed.
I know how much you appreciated the support of your husband and neighbours after you got injured and couldn’t walk or do normal things for months on end. Caring comes in all forms and from different sources.
Caring can also be a blogger such as Natalie Scarberry offering her readers flowers, inspirational words, and her thoughts on faith, every day. Even now, when in terrible pain and waiting for surgery, Natalie continues to inspire.
Natalie’s blog is always uplifting and inspirational! Her comments kind, and from the heart. I love the way you pull ‘that common thread’, Cynthia! That is so very inspirational too. You have a knack for gently and often humorously sharing life’s circumstances, emotions and lessons that we can all relate to…dispelling the isolated feeling that so often accompanies those things.
Thank you, Cynthia. You’re kind.
Lovely reminders and post Cynthia. I love how you wove the care givers and receivers together as souls reflectiing. And reminded us of the precious gift to be cared for. blessings, Brad
Thank you, Brad. I’m glad you appreciate the post.
And the author! XD
Lovely post Cynthia and soft reminders to reach out.
Thank you, Mary. I’m glad it had an impact.
Beautiful words about an often avoided aspect of being human.
Thanks, Diane.
Such a lovely post .. I too have experienced this and felt blessed to be able to give back. Thank you
I’m glad you shared this, Julie.
Thank you.
A beautiful and heartfelt post, Cynthia. Thank-you too, for the link to Natalie’s blog.
You are welcome, Clare. Thank you!
Cynthia, this is beautiful! ❤
Thanks, Lorrie.
🙂
There are so many ways in which we are caregivers, so many times in which we need care, so many stages of life in which care is given and received – often without thought, because the care is expected. It is when we care or are cared for in the most difficult or unexpected circumstances that we find ourselves thinking about the love behind the act of giving and the acceptance of love that allows the receiving of care. And that you have captured most beautifully. Thank you.
And what a beautiful, thoughtful reply, Margaret.
Well said!
Thank you kindly.
Wow, Cynthia, how very sweet of you! I so appreciate your kindness and prayers! By the way, I’m curious about that flower with the two pink petals while the rest are cream colored. How did that happen? Hugs and love, N ❤ ❤ ❤
Only the bees and the good Lord know, Natalie.
it’s a mutation caused by the yellow hollyhock and the pink one that stood beside it.
Fascinating! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the happen. 🙂
At the end of the day this is what it’s all about – to love and care for – and be loved and cared for in return. What a blessing indeed!
Thank you, Lee. Hope the new year goes well.
I enjoyed this post. The poem and pictures work together perfectly.
Well, thank you, kind Ma’am.
How’s the weather out there, Sheryl? Are you freezin’ your tail off yet?
Thank you our dear friend Cynthia for the beautiful dedication! So aptly expressed in a sensitive & heart felt way. Those that have experienced being cared for & being the caregiver are the only ones who could write such a knowing tribute. So in return the poem must be dedicated to Cynthia & Hamlin. Thankyou so much!
David & Sandra
Thank you for that, Sandra.
And you are welcome!
So lovely!
Thanks, Cindy.
Those are beautiful, just what I needed as I look outside with a foot of snow on the ground. 🙂
Yikes, Jackie. sorry. We have snow and are actually happy for it, because this winter was feeling awfully green so far — but check back with me when there’s a foot of snow on the ground and you’ll see how quickly I change!
Oh, I love snow, too, but do not like the shoveling it requires. I do indeed love flowers, though.
Beautiful words for those beautiful people who are there for us! Thanks.
Thanks, Betty!
Cynthia Reyes
Author, “A Good Home”
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Cynthia Reyes’ new book A Good Home is available through bookstores and online bookstores in Canada, the U.S., the UK-Europe, and Australia, such as amazon.com, amazon.ca, chapters.ca, amazon.co.uk (Britain), barnesandnoble.com. If the book is not on the shelf of your local store, ask the bookseller to order it.