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Words necessary, difficult, and becoming common: ‘I need your help’
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/28/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/28/24

Words necessary, difficult, and becoming common: ‘I need your help’

Asking for help is humbling. But at two different times last week, I had absolutely no other choice.

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Embracing anger: one strategy for protecting me from sadness
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/21/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/21/24

Embracing anger: one strategy for protecting me from sadness

A friend has helped me think afresh about anger. I’m going to claim it, use it, unleash it against the mess we’re in.

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Privilege or burden or both? How to know I’m feeling right about this
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/14/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/14/24

Privilege or burden or both? How to know I’m feeling right about this

I’ve written about the privilege and the burden of caregiving. Now I’m thinking about how to experience the former more than the latter.

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What’s next for us? Looking to God for the answers I need most
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/7/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 2/7/24

What’s next for us? Looking to God for the answers I need most

I’ve been wrestling with whether or when and where Evelyn should move to a care community. Will God give me the answers through the advice of my friends?

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Amid today’s unprecedented criticism, I thank God for the church!
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 1/31/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 1/31/24

Amid today’s unprecedented criticism, I thank God for the church!

We have a wonderful support network, and I realize most of it stems from one source: the church. Despite the church’s many flaws, I thank God for the church!

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All’s well that ends well enough: a record of this week’s surprises
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 1/17/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 1/17/24

All’s well that ends well enough: a record of this week’s surprises

Tuesday was a LONG day! Things are looking better on Wednesday.

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Thinking about sniffles in a whole new way: It’s not ‘JUST a cold’
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 1/3/24 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 1/3/24

Thinking about sniffles in a whole new way: It’s not ‘JUST a cold’

Even this small compromise of my energy reminds me that my good health is vital for our household to function these days.

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‘Keeping Christmas,’ it happened again for us, even this year
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/27/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/27/23

‘Keeping Christmas,’ it happened again for us, even this year

Different to be sure, but Christmas this year didn’t go unmarked or uncelebrated. We’ll always remember how we “kept Christmas” at the end of 2023.

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I’ll not call this a Christmas letter, just a greeting from the heart
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/20/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/20/23

I’ll not call this a Christmas letter, just a greeting from the heart

We’re not sending cards this year, but maybe this heartfelt greeting will be enough to take their place.

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It comes slowly, so I’ll keep at it—again and again and again
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/13/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/13/23

It comes slowly, so I’ll keep at it—again and again and again

A friend wrote after reading last week’s post to say, “I’m deeply moved by your practice of gratitude.”

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‘Different’ describes our days, including our Christmas this year
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/6/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 12/6/23

‘Different’ describes our days, including our Christmas this year

Different is the category for every aspect of our life right now. Christmas will simply fit the pattern.

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Because? In spite of? I’m learning to be grateful in both situations
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/22/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/22/23

Because? In spite of? I’m learning to be grateful in both situations

Gratitude can fall into one of two categories. Most often it fits in both.

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Talking to myself in a room that feels empty. This is my story
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/15/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/15/23

Talking to myself in a room that feels empty. This is my story

Three quotes give me something to remember that will help lighten my caregiving load.

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Saturday, Sunday, sad: Her memory is the least of her losses
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/8/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/8/23

Saturday, Sunday, sad: Her memory is the least of her losses

A slice of our life to give a broader picture of our every day with Alzheimer’s. Memory is only the beginning of the problems.

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We knew the season for sheltering fragile life wasn’t far away
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/1/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 11/1/23

We knew the season for sheltering fragile life wasn’t far away

Rereading a post from one year ago reminds me the cycle continues and the circle won’t end.

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Perspective comes from noting the blessings. So I’ll jot a few here
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 10/25/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 10/25/23

Perspective comes from noting the blessings. So I’ll jot a few here

I call this “My Chronicle,” sort of a diary recording the steps on our journey. And this week I feel I must mention that many of them are quite pleasant.

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No matter their age, it’s a privilege to partner on the journey
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 10/18/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 10/18/23

No matter their age, it’s a privilege to partner on the journey

Listen with me to the interactions between a young parent and her child, and see if you’re hearing the same phrases today.

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Even when it comes in small doses, satisfaction is something to savor
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 10/11/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 10/11/23

Even when it comes in small doses, satisfaction is something to savor

I’ve been thinking about happiness and contentment and satisfaction. And I can report that the last goal, although not always automatic, is the easiest to achieve.

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Handling the new while grieving the loss of the old: It’s not easy
Reflections, Shared Story Mark A. Taylor 9/27/23 Reflections, Shared Story Mark A. Taylor 9/27/23

Handling the new while grieving the loss of the old: It’s not easy

Capitalizing on the present while admitting and grieving the loss of the past is the challenge for everyone loving a person with a debilitating disease.

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What I’m deciding these days: Blunted blessings are still blessings!
Reflections Mark A. Taylor 9/6/23 Reflections Mark A. Taylor 9/6/23

What I’m deciding these days: Blunted blessings are still blessings!

The blessings showered on us are all welcome—even though so many are shadowed by the unpleasant difficulties of this season.

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