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by SUSIE KINSLOW ADAMS
| my mother...My Child |
“Surely I will never have to take care of my mother when she gets old. Can you
imagine what she will be like? She is so independent and quick tempered.
She will be a real challenge for anyone to care for.
"I couldn’t do it, I just couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t even try!”
How clearly those words rang in my ears as I stood over Mother’s bed, not
knowing if she would live or die....
As I watched what had been such a strong-willed person seem to wilt before my
eyes, my whole being just wanted to swoop her up into my arms and rock her
gently as she did me so many times...
Never once had I heard harmful words come from her mouth as she faithfully
cared for her aging parents and so many others. Tears flowed freely as I
stroked her brow and thought of those hurtful words and how carelessly I had
uttered them. Warm drops fell on her face as I kissed her cheeks. She was
entirely helpless and completely dependent on those around her for care. How
could her only daughter ever have had such feelings or dare express them to
someone else.
My heart broke again and again as I prayed. “Lord, please forgive me for ever
saying such a thing about her. Forgive me for my selfish attitude and my
uncaring ways. And, Heavenly Father, if You just let her live, I promise to care
for her with all I have for as long as it takes until You see fit to take her home.”
Week after week, I spent many hours in prayer receiving God’s forgiveness and
begging Him in His grace to allow us some time together. This was all too
sudden and I was unprepared to let her go. Night and day I was at Mother’s
bedside, holding her hand, stroking her forehead, and kissing her cheek. Tears
flowed freely and often as I recounted precious memories from days gone by...
My husband, Russell, and I had lived in California for ten years. Our short annual
trips home had offered little time to spend with my mother. Now, after moving
back to Missouri and living just two hours away from Mother, I thought we would
finally be able to make up for lost time...Hopes and dreams shattered as life
suddenly changed for all of us in ways we could not imagine.
God was merciful; after seven long weeks of ups and downs, Mother was
released from the hospital and came to live with us for eight wonderful years.
This book is about those years and the trials and triumphs of caring for her
through the many changes that ensued. It’s about those tender truths God
taught me about myself as He and I journeyed together.
This book is not meant to be an instruction manual to help in caring for
someone. There are volumes available on the practical aspects of elder
care. This book is an opportunity for me to relate openly and honestly the
struggles and the victories of life with a parent who suddenly becomes your
child. My intent is simply to share my heart in hopes that others may relate
and perhaps be helped by knowing they are not in this alone.
imagine what she will be like? She is so independent and quick tempered.
She will be a real challenge for anyone to care for.
"I couldn’t do it, I just couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t even try!”
How clearly those words rang in my ears as I stood over Mother’s bed, not
knowing if she would live or die....
As I watched what had been such a strong-willed person seem to wilt before my
eyes, my whole being just wanted to swoop her up into my arms and rock her
gently as she did me so many times...
Never once had I heard harmful words come from her mouth as she faithfully
cared for her aging parents and so many others. Tears flowed freely as I
stroked her brow and thought of those hurtful words and how carelessly I had
uttered them. Warm drops fell on her face as I kissed her cheeks. She was
entirely helpless and completely dependent on those around her for care. How
could her only daughter ever have had such feelings or dare express them to
someone else.
My heart broke again and again as I prayed. “Lord, please forgive me for ever
saying such a thing about her. Forgive me for my selfish attitude and my
uncaring ways. And, Heavenly Father, if You just let her live, I promise to care
for her with all I have for as long as it takes until You see fit to take her home.”
Week after week, I spent many hours in prayer receiving God’s forgiveness and
begging Him in His grace to allow us some time together. This was all too
sudden and I was unprepared to let her go. Night and day I was at Mother’s
bedside, holding her hand, stroking her forehead, and kissing her cheek. Tears
flowed freely and often as I recounted precious memories from days gone by...
My husband, Russell, and I had lived in California for ten years. Our short annual
trips home had offered little time to spend with my mother. Now, after moving
back to Missouri and living just two hours away from Mother, I thought we would
finally be able to make up for lost time...Hopes and dreams shattered as life
suddenly changed for all of us in ways we could not imagine.
God was merciful; after seven long weeks of ups and downs, Mother was
released from the hospital and came to live with us for eight wonderful years.
This book is about those years and the trials and triumphs of caring for her
through the many changes that ensued. It’s about those tender truths God
taught me about myself as He and I journeyed together.
This book is not meant to be an instruction manual to help in caring for
someone. There are volumes available on the practical aspects of elder
care. This book is an opportunity for me to relate openly and honestly the
struggles and the victories of life with a parent who suddenly becomes your
child. My intent is simply to share my heart in hopes that others may relate
and perhaps be helped by knowing they are not in this alone.
| Introduction |
| ---I did not want the responsibility and was not sure I could handle it. I share openly and honestly my feelings and what I learned as both our lives made major changes daily. |
| Autographed personalized copy now available - Click Here for Special Offer |
| Praise the Lord, all the nations; praise him, all the people. For his merciful kindness is great and his truth endures forever. From Psalm 117 |
| Russell & Susie Adams Welcome you to Adams Acre ENJOY! New Products Page soon to come! |