08Oct 2015 by CJ

Caregivers are angels here on earth

Generosity & Kindness, Love & Relationships
One of the greatest challenges my family faced when Alzheimer’s disease began preventing my grandfather from caring for himself, was figuring out who would take care of him. While my grandmother was still alive, she was frail herself and unable to meet the physical demands of caring for him. And while I know she loved him, it was difficult for her to accept the demands this new role of “caregiver” presented to her. My family experimented with several home health aides – unsatisfied with many of the early arrivals. Being a caregiver is not easy and requires much more than simply being able to handle the everyday logistics - eating, dressing, bathing. It’s about treating the person you’re caring for with dignity, respect, compassion, patience, humor and above all love.…
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28Sep 2015 by CJ

You’re stronger than you think

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh The sun will come out tomorrow Sentiments easier expressed through lyrics than in reality. But songwriters Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin capture something utterly profound in their song Tomorrow – featured in the hit musical and movie Annie. Simply put – everything is temporary. Every one of us can look back in our history and remember times when we didn’t know how we were going to make it through. Times when we were riddled with self-doubts and insecurities – grieving with a broken heart or a broken life. And yet here we are survivors – perhaps a little more jaded and guarded, but definitely more courageous. Somehow as everyday…
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18Sep 2015 by CJ

My Post on Having Time

Love & Relationships
I am honored to be featured on Having Time (CLICK HERE). It's a wonderful community filled with simple, every day inspiration we all can use during the chaos of our daily lives. I hope you enjoy my post, and thank you to the editors of Having Time for allowing the opportunity to connect with their readers.  
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15Sep 2015 by CJ

Memories – the things you never want to lose

Life & Living, Love & Relationships, Youth
Many of you might remember the television dramedy The Wonder Years which ran on ABC from 1988 through 1993. Set in the year 1968, the series followed young Kevin Arnold as he made his way through pubescent life - dealing with typical societal issues of that time. The show was narrated by a much older and wiser Kevin, often describing what is happening and ultimately what he learned during any given situation. On the series finale of the show, as a group of young children can be heard playing in the background, the final narration is given: “Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers, the next day you're gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a place, a…
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17Aug 2015 by CJ

Alzheimer’s disease is not a sign to stop loving

Life & Living, Love & Relationships
It’s a miraculous and humbling sight to see a young grandmother holding her three-month old grand-daughter – especially when that grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease. It’s obvious the old instincts of motherhood (to which she is no stranger) are still very much alive and well (at least for a little while). Anyone who’s watched a loved one suddenly fade away due to this horrific illness, understands the difficulty in seeing the person you remember with your eyes, only to find a stranger has taken their place. But as I’ve come to realize (and cherish) every so often they come back to us. Maybe not 100%, but enough to remind us they’re still here, still living and still in need of our love – perhaps more so than ever before. Maybe it’s…
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