carersvoices.org

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

The man who wears love's face.

I wanted us to grow old together
But never dreamt it would be like this.
I wish it had never struck you
This thing they call MS.
We had so many dreams and plans
All bathed in a golden glow,
The future was so warm and bright,
Not this Present we now know.
I didn't know the day would come when
Everything is down to me to do
You had always been so clever, so strong
I'd always relied on you.
Now dreams are only castles in the sky
And wishes melted like the mist in the sun
Reality dawns with each new day
The real you further away, each one.
But if I could have my wish come true
We'd be in a different time and place
And you, again, would be the man inside
The man who wears love's face.

By Rainbow Warrior

_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

krys · Site Admin Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1466

:cry: thats lovely jean

kazzy · geek Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 594

Beautiful....

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

What a beautiful, but sad poem Jean :-( you definately have a talent for writing poetry and I loved reading every line of your poem -wow!

It really expresses your feelings too, it shows the love and care you have for your cared one.

Well done!

Lola
xxx
_________________
Lola

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

thank you all :oops:
_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

You have never seen my paintings!
(In fact, only oh has, didn't stop laughing for days :lol: :lol: :lol: )
_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

_________________
Lola

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

Here is an ECARD for all Carers from me to you

To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

The work you quietly do
week after week is phenomenal
Day in day out you show your commitment
as a Carer.
You regularly give of yourself
patiently and genorously,
in ways that are often unseen by others
As you perform your chores,
many of which are thankless
you demonstrate what love is all about
Know this: you are admired for what you do
which is a reflection of who you are.
_________________
Lola

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

Thank you Lola,
both your posts are lovely.
_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

krys · Site Admin Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1466

hi lola

they are truely beautiful

thank you

krys
xxx
xxx
xxx

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

Thank you both for your kind comments.

When I read this poem, I found it profound and made me realise what's really important in life

I Am the Child

I am the child who cannot talk.
You often pity me, I see it in your eyes.
You wonder how much I am aware of - I see that as well.
I am aware of much - whether you are happy or sad or fearful,
patient or impatient, full of love and desire,
or if you are just doing your duty by me.
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater,
for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.

You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.
I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over my well-being, sharing my needs, or comments about the world about me.
I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards -
great strides in development that you can credit yourself.
I do not give you understanding as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable - I give you instead opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine;
the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.
I drive you further than you would ever go on your own,
working harder, seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.
I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk.
The world seems to pass me by.
You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair,
to run and play like other children.
There is much you take for granted.
I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again.
I am dependant on you in these ways.
My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,
your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.
Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.
I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,
to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.
I give you awareness.
I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired.
I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick,
what I do know is infinite joy in simple things.
I am not burdened as you are with the strifes and conflicts of a more complicated life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,
to teach you how much your arms around me mean,
to give you love.
I give you the gift of simplicity.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child.
I am your teacher.
If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you.
I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted.
I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.
Most of all I teach you hope and faith.
I am the disabled child.

- Author Unknown
_________________
Lola

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

May God Bless You,
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world"

Take Care
See you around
Lola
XXXX
_________________
Lola

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

I had to share this with you, it's just so beautful, I stumbled across it as I was looking for Carer poems

No Greater Gift

No greater gift could we hope to give
Than helping someone else to live…

If we tried to define a carer - we would find it hard to explain
For there are so many of us - acknowledged by this name
We may be; a loving spouse; a sibling, parent or friend
A professional carer, a volunteer the list goes on without end
Yet we are all united by a common bond we share
A wish to ease the burden of the loved ones in our care
The road may not be easy - we may stumble along the way
But our courage will sustain us and guide us through each day
No words of thanks are needed - our reward is in their smile
Just to see them free of pain makes everything worthwhile
So in good times and in bad times you will find us there
Enriching the lives of others - simply because we care
_________________
Lola

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

Thanks Lola and please, don't stop :lol:
_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

Two wolves.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, ' My son, the battle is between two ' wolves ' inside us all.

One is Evil. - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. '

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: ' Which wolf wins? '

The old Cherokee simply replied, ' The one you feed. '
_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

VI · novice Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 18

that is very apt

vi
_________________
VI

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

AN ECARD FOR ALL CARERS
_________________
Lola

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

A Prayer for Caregivers

Bless those who take care of
the sick. In their own time
of need, may they receive
a hundredfold of the blessings
they have given.
_________________
Lola

krys · Site Admin Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1466

that is lovely lola

thank you

love
krys
xxxx

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

"Great things are done
more through courage than through wisdom."

German Proverb

Courage

It takes courage to deal with
all that is yours to deal with these days,
and more than courage.
It also takes determination, patience,
and inner strength.
So much that you do day after day
is done without fanfare.
Others usually do not appreciate
all the effort that it takes.
Know there are those of us around you
who are struck by your fortitude and grace
as you navigate your way through
these days.
Even if you do not ask for our respect,
you have it.
_________________
Lola

Rainbow Warrior · Moderator Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1354

Thank you Lola, inspiring as always
(((((((((hug))))))))))
_________________
Today is a gift, that is why they call it the Present.
War does not determine who is right,
war determines who is left.
A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to it's old dimensions.

krys · Site Admin Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1466

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

Thank you both
xx

_________________
Lola

Lola · Regular Joined: 04 May 2008 Posts: 317

A poem that I read on a card - it is very empowering

Hang in There

Sometimes there are bad days
when life becomes a fight,
And all that you can do
is to hang on in there tight.

They say it builds your character
when your world gets rough,
But you didn't need to build yours
you have character enough.

Remember dawn comes after darkness
and the fiercest storms don't last,
In the future this hard present
will become a distant past.

So here's a simple message
I hope that you will heed it,
I'm always here to help you
if you ever need it.
_________________
Lola