Good deeds should not be stifled

Fri, Dec 5, 2014

Editor: A common practice with people in general is to wait until someone dies, then at the funeral, one will often hear all sorts of glowing things about him or her. Some of these things are amusing to those present, but they cannot benefit the dead, as they can’t hear them.{{more}}

To this end I pray that you’ll permit me to say a few things that I observed about a family I have known my entire life. Their father is ill and so they journeyed home gladly to take care of him. By working together, their relationship has truly improved, as they take turns to look after their father’s needs.

These needs are not looked after haphazardly. They worked out a schedule which they follow religiously.

They even gave their father a bell, which, when rung, will summon them to look into his needs. The bell’s tone means much to them, for they know which tone to answer to. Isn’t this something?

It is not smooth sailing at all for them, because taking care of a loved one takes so much from the caretakers. But these people take everything in stride. When the “going” gets rough they resort to good old humour. They refuse to be flustered, nor do they become disgruntled or abusive. To me they are like “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.”

Their attitude is such that their sick father refuses at times to ring the bell, so that they could receive their rest.

All this is included in the schedule. Their duty and rest periods. This is not new to one of them, retired after being a nurse most of her life.

This is certainly something for others to emulate, especially families with sick loved ones. These can receive good care at home at times when the occasion calls for it, thereby lessening some of the strain on the health workers.

It is my fervent desire that this family continues in the very positive way they are heading, for they will certainly reap what they sow if they do not tire out, which I am positive they won’t do.

An Observer