At Home Peace and In-Home Care and Gratitude

By Terri Dimaria, a writer who resides in Greensboro North Carolina

All Roads Lead to Home . Opening doors since 1999 . In-Home Care At Home With Hearthside Home Care

Perhaps it’s because many of them lived through the Great Depression and learned early in life that everything took a lot of hard work. I’m not sure that’s all of it, but even studies have shown that the oldest generations are also the happiest. So, what is their secret? As a journalist, I’ve had the privilege to interview hundreds of seniors. I’m always amazed by their stories. Many grew up on farms where hard work was just a part of life. They left their homes to venture out in the world and many served their countries, traveling to faraway places. Their triumphs and heart breaks have been many, but almost without exception, they tell me they are so very thankful for their lives and for what they have. Unlike younger generations, they went into adulthood knowing that life would take work. They didn’t expect a handout but took pride in working towards their goals. Now, in their “golden years” they are experiencing illnesses and the loss of loved ones. Yet, even those have told me, “I’ve have a wonderful life and I’m so grateful for everything I have.”  The power of gratitude is enormous. On this day, I hope we all consider our elders and their attitudes towards life. We are not promised tomorrow. We are not promised a life without heartaches. Today is all we really have. How we live it is up to us. My own parents have suffered serious health issues over the past few years. They are so grateful that they have recovered from both cancer and a paralyzing syndrome called Guilliane Barre. My father has been blessed to be cancer-free for the last 10 years. He lost his bladder, but not his life. While he was still in the hospital and fighting to survive, he told me that he was not afraid of dying. “I don’t want to die, but if I do, I’m still thankful for everything that God has given me. I have a wonderful family and lived a great life. I could not ask for more.” My older cousins and siblings enjoy the small wonders of life. They love working in their yard and seeing their grandchildren and especially their great-grandchildren. They can still work circles around me. They take a lot of satisfaction in their everyday accomplishments. My mother recently told me that she knew daddy would probably have some hard issues to deal with in the near future. She said, “It won’t be easy, but I’m so grateful that we’ve had this past 10 years together. Think of all that he would have missed! We are very blessed.” I try my best to be my parent’s daughter and be thankful for all that I have. When my children were growing up and started whining about something, I’d say, “Attitude is everything.” Well, gratitude is an attitude. We can choose to be happy and grateful, or not. What generation of the past could boast of our lifestyles? Not a one. Yet we have more depression and more desperation in our generation than any other. As in-home caregivers during this great recession, don’t we all have a lot to learn from the generations of the past? My prayer today is to learn how to live the gift of gratitude everyday of the year and that my children and grandchildren will come to understand that material things cannot make you happy. Family, friends and the love they share with us are the greatest gifts of all!