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The
Caregiver Companion
Email Newsletter
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March 16, 2001
Dear Friends:
Welcome to The
Caregiver Companion newsletter, Vol. 1
#4.
We apologize for the tardiness of this issue. Anne's 98 year old
step-father left us last Saturday. In order to include our respects
for him, we have delayed this issue.
In this newsletter we
have included:
Caregiver of the
Month: St Patrick Biography
(MP3 audio file download from the
Collecting Consort recordings)
From Another Perspective: The
Danger of Pride
In Memory of: Ernest
Isaacsen, July 15, 1902 - March 10, 2001
Ernest, My Mentor
for Caregiving by G. Wakenhut 3/11/01
A Blessing for
Ernest by Anne Wakenhut 3/11/01
Gleamings from
Lois Ward
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Caregiver of the
Month
St. Patrick |
A few words from Anne & Gary:
Several years ago, we (our music
ensemble, the Collecting Consort) created a one hour radio special for
public broadcasting and commercial radio stations.
Our desire for this program was to
portray St. Patrick's Day and the Irish people as being worthy of more than
"The wearin' of the Green" and drinking green beer. To this
end, we combined the history of Ireland, stories of the Land of Erin, along
with Irish music to create a portrait of their contribution to the world.
One of the most meaningful portions of
that program was this biographical sketch of St. Patrick.
We are sharing it here as a free MP3
down load.
Click here to go to our website and
download ST. PATRICK BIOGRAPHY After the download is complete, click on
"Open from current location"
For those of you who do not have the
capacity to download and play back this audio file, we have included the
script below.
| Wales in the Fifth
Century |
A beautiful
spring morning opened as the sun broke through the dreary damp clouds which
had covered the harbor in Wales for so many days. It was the beginning of
the 5th century, and much of the British Isles was occupied and ruled by the
Romans.
16 year old
Maewyn was the son of Calphurnius, a high Roman official in Wales. Their
family lived a rich and noble life. Maewyn had little responsibility and
spent most of his time watching the boats and sailors from many lands as
they came and went from the harbor.
This
morning, he was taking in the warmth of the sun, lying on the hill high
above the harbor. His mind was engrossed by the freedom of birds as they
explored the currents of air along the cliffs, and the essence of spring was
present in the beautiful smell of the delicate yellow flowers around him.
Maeywn's
curiosity was drawn to a fleet of small ships sailing through the narrows
and dropping anchor in the harbor. But something seemed unusual and wrong.
He realized the ships were not friendly.
Fearing for
his family, he ran down the hill toward their home as the warriors began
looting and burning the town. Even with the energy and strength of a sixteen
year old, he was no match for the invaders, and he soon found himself bound
with course ropes and thrown into the bottom of a boat. The speech of his
kidnappers told him he was a captive of warriors from Ireland.
After a few
hours in the hold with the sea tossing him about, he was brought on deck to
discover a strange land. Instead of recognizing beautiful buildings and
homes with paved streets and people with his religious beliefs, he found the
gloom of mud huts and a primitive people dressed in dirty animal skins and
worshiping Pagan deities.
Because of
his age and strength, Maewyn was sold to a king in Northern Ireland. His
next six years were spent wearing a sheepskin tunic with a shaved head, the
marks of a shepherd slave. Lacking the comforts and pleasures of his home in
Wales, Maewyn's new existence was an important next step for his future. He
was forced to live a life of isolation in the wild. He found himself
becoming spiritually in tune with the wholeness of the earth, and he turned
more and more to meditation and prayer to fill his lonely hours.
After
several years of this deprivation, he experienced a vision that told him he
would escape on a boat. Walking 2 hundred miles to the south, he found a
boat leaving for Wales. Homecoming was a unbelievable shock. Wales was in
ruins, and there was no sign of the Roman culture in which he had been
raised.
Then
Maewyn had another vision, and he felt the people of Ireland calling him
back to help them. To answer this call, he undertook 20 years of training
studying the scriptures, administration skills, and construction techniques
so he might return to Ireland as a Catholic bishop. Given the name of
Patrick by the church, he would become the spiritual leader that turned the
people of Ireland to a more peaceful and civilized life.
THE
The
Danger of Pride
Pride is the dandelion of the soul. Its root goes deep; only a little left behind
sprouts again. Its seeds lodge in the tiniest encouraging cracks. And it
flourishes in good soil: The danger of pride is that it feeds on goodness.
- David Rhodes
This message was shared
with me by Rev. Dave Wilkinson. It was part of his SOUND BITES
(Something to chew on that is good for the soul) ministry I receive each
morning. Dave provides this free service in memory of his late son,
Dustin. You can learn more about Dave's efforts by going to going to The
Caregiver Companion web site at: http://www.caregivercompanion.com/11spirit2wilkinson.htm
Or if you wish to
subscribe to his free service, email him at: soundbites@firstumcgb.org
and give your name and say, “Subscribe SOUND BITES your_e-mail_address.” Remember
to tell him The Caregiver Companion sent you.
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In Memory
of: Ernest Isaacsen
7/15/1902
- 3/10/2001
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| Ernest with our
grandchildren, A deeply reverent person, he had ordered
this Bible for them a few months prior to his death. |
During the past two years,
Anne and I (Gary) have had the honor of serving as respite caregivers to her
98 year old step-father, Ernest Isaacsen while he has been in the recovery
process from a variety of physical difficulties.
This weekend, we
celebrated Anne's birthday, and she chose to visit a former teaching
associate to share in the joy of this woman's newly born child. After
we returned home from this miracle of new birth, we received a phone message
that Ernest had left us that afternoon. His last minutes were
spent sitting in the comfort of his living room by the fireplace with Anne's
mother. He was discussing the many meaningful photos and pieces
of art that had been collected on their walls.
While we lamented his
loss, we were pleased with the peacefulness that accompanied his
departure. We found ourselves exchanging the many stories he had told
us and recalling the special and wonderful qualities he offered as a person.
Below, you will find some
of our writing stimulated by his departure.
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Ernest, My Mentor
for Caregiving
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by Gary W. Wakenhut
03/11/2001
Ernest was born in
Northern Michigan to a pair of Norwegian immigrants. As he was about
to enter his adolescence, he left his siblings and went back to Norway with
his father, who in turn, left him with an uncle for several years.
Ernest was left to his own resources without much of a family during those
formative years.
His major responsibility
was to care for the horses and to transport passengers that utilized his
uncle's transportation services.
Ernest's attachment to animals began at that point, and he loved to share
with us wonderful stories about his relationships with his horses and dogs
that accompanied him through his life. He respected them deeply, and
cared for them as one would for a child or anything dependent upon others
for life. They, in turn, gave him much gratitude in response.
In the early 1920's he
returned to the United States, unable to speak English. He quickly
mastered the language and graduated with his fellow high school
classmates.
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Hunter,
fisherman, woodsman extraordinaire,
Ernie Isaacsen |
Through the years, he
worked at a variety of occupations. Like so many community leaders
from his era, his success and achievement was obtained through dedication
and service to his employers.
Whenever asked, he
dedicated himself to the requests of his community. His church also
played a major role in his daily life, consistently tithing his
support.
His dedication was well
respected by his employers and his fellow citizens. This desire to
place others before himself, supported him well, and he retired to a comfortable
lifestyle.
Following the death of his
invalid wife (they had no children) whom he cared for many years ,
Ernest began courting Anne's mother. A life void of children was
suddenly filled with five adult children and their mates, six grandchildren,
and eventually four great grandchildren. He took it all in stride with
a huge smile on his face and an ear bent toward their accomplishments and
achievements.
| Perceiving Life as a
Blessing |
During my caregiving
experiences with Ernest, I was allowed to witness on an intimate basis, his
daily approach to life. Ernest had always blessed our meals whenever
he invited our family to his table. It was always the same formal
blessing; giving thanks for "...this food, the many blessings that have
been bestowed upon us, and make us ever mindful of the needs of
others". On some occasions, when asked by the grandchildren, he
would share that same blessing in Norwegian.
During the times when
Ernest and I were alone, I discovered that this blessing was not limited to
just formal occasions. Instead, it was presented each time he sat at
his table whether it be for breakfast, dinner or his bed-time snack even
when no one else (other than God) was joining him.
The morning after his
death, I entered my usual 5:00 AM shift, a trip to the bathroom and then
rolling over on my other side for a return to sleep. However, this
morning was to be different. I suddenly found myself the recipient of
a large wicker basket on wheels, similar to a shopping cart. In it, I
was instructed to place all of the things with which I had been blessed in
order that I might give thanks.
Then at 7:30, two and a
half hours later, Ernest again returned to my presence adding a reminder
"to be ever mindful of the needs of others".
| Thanksgiving =
Transition |
As I shared the ease of
his transition with a friend at church, she remarked about what a blessing
he had received with his departure. I was left recalling all those
times he had given thanks for his blessings and considered the welfare of
others. Could that have had anything to do with the ease and grace of
his death?
Thank you, Ernest, for
your stellar performance in the art of thanksgiving and sharing with
others. I only hope, that as I depart, I will have sown the seeds for
giving and caring to as many others as you.
by Anne Wakenhut
3/11/01
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Capt. Ernie (right)
with his "sailing crew" |
May God speed
your journey,
Dear Ernest.
May His grace surround you
as you drift from our reach.
May we always
feel
your strong hugs,
your anchored opinions,
and your deep faith in God.
May we always
remember
your continuous desire to do your share,
to contribute to this world,
and your respect for hard work.
May we always
appreciate
your warm acceptance of us,
the family you absorbed
when you married our mother.
At times, we
overwhelmed you,
Dear Ernest,
but you welcomed us
and prayed for our health and happiness.
We are grateful for that reliable expression of your love.
May we accept our
life challenges
as you did yours,
with loyalty, courage, and dignity.
May your
Norwegian heritage
be assimilated into our spirits,
giving us a balance of pride and humility.
And may God
always know
he can rely on you
to keep his woods clean
and the logs neatly stacked for a cold winter.
We will miss you,
Dear Ernest.
We thank God
for your wonderful stories
and the gentle strength you gave to our family.
The weather is
perfect for your clear sailing.
Set your mainsheet
and let your spinnaker run.
May our love be your steady breeze
as God's hand holds the tiller.
May the familiar
sounds
of your boat's passage return to your ears.
And may you feel the joy
and freedom of your journey
as you sail home.
This one page publication is sent snail
mail 2 times/month by Lois Ward. It contains small pieces of
inspiration and laughter. Therefore, it would make an ideal piece for
sharing with others who find themselves isolated and are refusing to succumb
to computers.
If you have a friend you feel would
value Lois' letter or you would like receive her Gleamings. You can contact Lois at: lhward@acc-net.com and tell her The Caregiver
Companion sent you.
Here are a few GLEAMINGS from her
February 22nd letter.
Lord, help me to Relax.
Take from me,
the tension that makes peace
impossible.
Take from me,
the fears that do not allow me to venture.
Take from me,
the worries that blind my sight.
Take from me,
the distress that hides Your joy.
Help me to know,
that I am with You,
that I am in Your care,
that I am in Your love
that You and I are one.
Shared with Lois by Rev. Walter L.
Krieger of Christ Episcopal Church, Reading, PA, in The Joyful
Newsletter, Feb. 2001
A group of senior citizens were sitting around discussing their latest
ailments.
One said, "My hands are so
weak, I can barely hold my coffee cup".
Another responded, "My
cataracts are so bad, I can't even see my coffee".
"I can't even turn my head
because of the arthritis in my neck", added a third.
"My blood pressure pills
make me dizzy", said another.
Then another old man winced as
he said, "I guess that is the price we pay for getting old".
A moment of silence was followed
by one woman who added cheerfully, "Thank God, we can all still
drive".
Shared with Lois via BG
| More Precious than
Jewels |
A wise woman traveling in the
mountains found a precious stone in a stream. Later, She met another
traveler who was hungry. The wise woman opened her bag to share her
food with this stranger.
The traveler saw the precious stone
and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.
The traveler left rejoicing in his
good fortune. He know the stone was worth enough to give him
security for a lifetime.
A few days later, he came back to
return the stone to the woman.
"I've been thinking." he
said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in
the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me
what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."
Sometimes, its not the wealth you
have but what is inside you that others need.
Author unknown
Thank you, Lois, for sharing these with
us.
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You are a
Caregiver Companion!
|
Build a better mousetrap,
and the world will beat a path to your doorway. While we are pleased
with the progress of The Caregiver Companion, I am not sure that
caregivers can wait for this to happen. Perhaps it is time for the
American concept of publicity.
However, the publicity
budget for The Caregiver Companion reminds me of our garden last spring
. By the time we live trapped the possum who had taken up residence in
the squash patch, he had consumed 100 sweet pepper seedlings and three
plantings of the cabbage family. Our normally fertile garden was
barren.
It was well after the first
of June, the last planting date in our region. In an effort to save our
garden, I ran from one end of our county to the other visiting greenhouses,
grocery stores, etc. grabbing any scraggly, dried up, rejected plants that
were left. In most cases, they were given to me, just for removing
them.
Hastily placed in the ground
at that late date, some did not survive. However, many blossomed into
amazingly fruitful plants.
Help us with our
"garden" to make it blossom and fruit. What sources of free
publicity can you find for us? Are you aware of web sites, company and
organization newsletters, church bulletins, magazines that announce and/or
review available services, letters to the editor, etc.?
Please "drop" our
seeds (address) where ever you find a spot of bare soil and our garden will
soon be providing "food" for all.
Our mission statement is
easy to remember!
The Caregiver Companion
offers meaningful information and special nurturing opportunities for
caregivers of loved ones with disabilities and long-term illnesses. www.caregivercompanion.com
If you would prefer, email
your ideas to us, and we will do the seed planting.
share@caregivercompanion.com
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Our Thanks for
your Reference Letters
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Our very special thanks for the letters
of reference you have written for our site. It was wonderful to receive this
support for our work.
For those of you who haven't had the
opportunity to send us your letters of reference to be shared with potential www.caregivercompanion.com
underwriters, we can still use more. We would greatly appreciate your
letters to assist us in seeking financial support from potential underwriters.
You can email them to us at share@caregivercompanion.com
, or if you have business letterhead, snail mail them to:
The Caregiver Companion
W. Edgar 7363 Rd.
Lakeview, MI 48850
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Potential
Revenue for
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Please email us at share@caregivercompanion.com
with suggestions of individuals, companies, or organizations who might be
willing to underwrite our efforts. We are open to any and all
ideas no matter how remote or far fetched they might be.
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Some of the St. Patrick clip art we used came from
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/WebLiz/StPatrick's.htm
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All original material in the
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DISCLAIMERS:
The material and information
presented in the Caregiver Companion newsletter is provided for the
sole purpose of educating and informing the reader. It should not be
accepted as an attempt to prescribe, recommend or treat in any manner.
If the reader should have any
questions or concerns about the application or reliability of the
information and material found within the Caregiver Companion
newsletter, they should undertake additional research and contact their
licensed professionals for information, opinions and/or recommendations.
Material in the Caregiver Companion
newsletter that does not carry the byline of Anne W. Wakenhut and/or
Gary W. Wakenhut is not necessarily the opinion of or supported by
www.caregivercompanion.com.
OWNERSHIP:
The URL
www.caregivercompanion.com and the Caregiver Companion newsletter
are owned by the COLLECTING CONSORT (dba: "Collecting Consort"
owned by Gary W. Wakenhut, Box 272, Lakeview, MI 48850)
