Blessed
are those who sleep poorly because they're worried about
their loved one or because their loved one wakes in the
middle of the night and needs help, for theirs is the
Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn because their
loved, though still alive, is slipping away because
of dementia, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek who force themselves
to speak up and speak out to make sure their loved
one receives the help he or she needs, for they will
inherit the land.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
answers to why this is happening to their loved one
and how much longer it will go on, for they will
be satisfied.
Blessed are those who show mercy, kindness,
and compassion to their loved one, for they will be
shown mercy, kindness, and compassion.
Blessed are those who keep clean a
loved one who is physically or mentally unable to
keep himself or herself clean, for they will see
God.
Blessed are those who help their loved one
find moments of peace, for they will be called
children of God.
Blessed are those who are misunderstood,
not appreciated, and taken for granted in their role
as caregiver, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you whose caregiving
efforts are unjustly criticized -- or who are falsely
accused of not caring about others -- because of
your love for your care-receiver . . . and your
love for God, who has asked you to help his beloved
son or daughter.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will
be great in heaven.
--Friends of St. John the Caregiver
