Tag: caregiving (Page 3 of 8)

The Friday Exhale: 5 Thoughts on the Week

I have talked many times about the following to my students who are new to Canada; this is the second largest country in the world and is made up of many diverse landscapes. Here in Ontario, most of the province does not look at all like the vehicle-jammed, dense urban area in and around Toronto. The north is mostly rocks, trees and water while the mostly fertile, flattish area west of Toronto is full of small towns, mostly founded approximately 200 years ago.

On Wednesday, I FINALLY, took a day off, leaving behind at least briefly, my worries about caregiving, paying work and other responsibilities and wandered west where I came across this majestic creature. The moose is one of Canada’s most well-known large animals. This one looks like he is challenging me not to get any closer. One of the interesting things for me about visiting small-town Ontario is that I am often reminded of what I know of Southern Ontario’s history and I try to imagine what it must have been like to slowly set up a home, a business, a farm, a school, a village in this far-away, unknown place where the moose roamed freely. – Maria

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Caregiving and Teaching: Laughing at Life and Ourselves

Rereading this reflection, which was first posted in mariasmind, I am very aware of the passing of time and how much my life has changed since the teaching years I wrote about. Now, the main focus of my life is taking care of our mother, which is complicated, exhausting, but can also be rewarding and definitely requires a sense of humour. Some of the best moments spent with her are probably sharing a good laugh at something absurd or silly. She has an offbeat sense of humour, and a beautiful smile.

Sometimes I laugh at myself, rather than cry, at how caught up I get in trying to do everything perfectly. As the reflection will make clear, we take ourselves with us. I am working on chilling a little. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the reflection and can connect to it in some way. Let us know in the comments.

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