Tired Caregivers, Pick Up That Penny!

4/27/2022 12:00:00 AM

Does it seem like you’re taking care of others all the time? During one point on my caregiving journey, it felt like I was: my Mom losing her vitality and memory to Parkinson’s-related dementia, Dad living through lung cancer and blindness; my husband suffering chronic pain; my mother-in-law half paralyzed, post-stroke. I had a very active four-year-old son and lived in a house that polite people called “a fixer-upper.” Plus, I was working full time. The stress was intense; I struggled to find relief. Then my dream taught me how.

In the dream, it was dark and cold. I was walking with my head down, leaning into the blustery, bitter wind. Something in the gutter caught my eye. I bent to see what it was and found a shiny penny. In my mind I heard, “Find a penny pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.” To my surprise, I then found more coins among the decaying leaves: nickels, dimes, and quarters! Feeling great joy, I then abruptly awoke. Lying in bed, the joy lingered and I wondered what this dream could possibly mean.

The following evening a remarkable thing happened during my nightly walk. Deep in thought with my head down, something caught my eye. What do you think it was? Yes, there among the leaves and dirt in the road near my house was a real penny! Returning home, I smiled and felt happy, like after my dream.

Amazingly, on the next five walks I found four more coins in the road, and they each filled me with an inexplicable delight. I saved them on the kitchen windowsill, trying to hold onto the good feeling and to understand what was happening.

Being happy about pennies made no logical sense, yet every time I found one I felt reassured by a little surge of energy. I am a person of faith, so to me, God’s voice of wisdom and love was revealing a deep, encouraging truth. In my heart I heard these words:

“In this time of “constant caregiving” there’s love and support amidst the rubble in your life; just look closely. Seek and you’ll find help in places you might overlook. It may seem as insignificant as a penny but accept and receive. Pick up even the slightest bits of love and help that come your way. Be grateful for even very small things; they can make a difference if you let them. No matter what the circumstances of your life, take heart. After night the morning always dawns. This journey is long and arduous, but this too shall pass.”

What about you?

Does this phase of your caregiving journey seem difficult or dark? If so, remember this. One powerful way to handle the adversity is to look for some “pennies” of you own. Whatever you do to recognize, receive, and give thanks for the goodness in life will be good for both you and your loved ones. As you do so much for others, remember to take good care of yourself, too…Jane

Watch my recording of this story on YouTube