This morning I called my sister, just for a chat to see how she was doing, but she answered that she was in the middle of an emergency with her husband, who has vascular dementia.
She was so afraid that, at first I thought I had dialled the wrong number. Her fear and panic had changed her voice beyond recognition. I don't know the details myself yet either and will have to wait until the crisis is dealt with, but even with all my years of Mindfulness meditation behind me, I still find it difficult to conquer fear. The 'what ifs' of the unknown can overwhelm your thinking.
So today I've chosen fear as my topic and this is a quotation on that from Rita Levi Montalcini.
Rita Levi-Montalcini OMRI OMCA was an Italian Nobel laureate, honoured for her work in neurobiology. She was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, jointly with colleague Stanley Cohen, for the discovery of nerve growth factor. (Source, Wikipedia)
She said:
"Above all, don't fear difficult moments. The best comes from them"
I think it's very difficult not to be fearful and we all have been, recently. But it's also true that some very lovely things are emerging from that fear, as we relearn to love and help each other more. So that's the 'best' which she is clearly pointing out.
Take care everyone. Please stay safe and well, and as happy and positive as you can be.
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23 Replies
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Hi Jerry, thanks so much for your comments on the quotation, but also for your good wishes for my sister and her husband. Sadly it sounds as if he is moving into a new and for my sister, very worrying, next phase. Carers do indeed have a really tough row to hoe, always, as their voice in society is so small and so often pushed under the carpet. Support was at crisis point for all of them even going into this crisis, and now they have all the worry of coronavirus making their lives so much more difficult too. So I deeply appreciate your understanding and message of support! 🙏
I am so sorry to hear about this, hope they will overcome this as we still have a fabulous NHS, one of the best in the world and I am sure they are in safe hands. My thoughts are with you.
still drowsy from my dream last night (well, I say night but it was only 6 am that I managed to sleep ) and what Corona has done to me 😷😷 Last night I had so much dry cough wit a mild temperature that I alway have. Because of this fear I could see my own death in the dream but I am alive ...
I can't tell you how glad I am that this was only a nasty dream Painny. I hate that sort of dream. It seems to linger all day, so I hope you'll be able to forget about it quickly, because, happily for us all, you are, in reality, still with us!
I can't thank you enough for your kind words. They really do matter enormously in times of trouble and I know that my sister will be amazed and pleased to know that people who are strangers to her are taking time to offer good wishes.
Take good care of yourself Painny, and I hope you'll be able to put those dark fears you have, aside. Bless you and have a good day. ☀️🌟🌈
Thank you, I am glad too, I think my brain is overwhelmed with the number of deaths worldwide plus having a taste of a dry cough, really horrible xx 🐣🐣☀️🦋🦋🌱
Best wishes to your sister and her husband and the rest of the family, also to everyone caring for a loved one at home who perhaps doesn't understand what's going on in the world at the moment xxxx
Thank you so much Jennymary, and I know that you understand all the stresses and strains of a Carer. My sister will be so delighted to hear that she has good wishes from so many complete strangers to her. And it's sadly all too true that very few people know how draining the life of a Carer can become, and that it is extra difficult for Carers to try to explain to their loved ones (because of reduced cognition), exactly what's happening.
Thanks again, and please continue to take care of yourself and stay well. Very best wishes. 🌷
Fear has brought us to this spot on the evolutionary scale so very relevant quote and if we accept fear is natural we can move on. I love that that Quote. ☺☺
So sorry to hear about your sister and brother-in-law and moving into a worse phase with his dementia. Such a difficult time for all families with dementia sufferers. I'm sure you are a support to your sister even though you can't see her at this time.
Thanks so much Karen. Deeply appreciated coming as it does from someone with a deep understanding and experience of, caring, and I know you had so many difficult times. Thanks again 🌷
I've read about a couple of people isolated from their loved ones with dementia. It must be torture to not see them and be able to help them. An added heartbreak and who knows when it will end and we revert to normal life. I can understand and, even though I thought it couldn't get any worse last year when dad was approaching his end, I'm glad he's not here to go through this.
Best wishes to your sister and yourself as you go through this.
I am really worried for all our friends on the Care Community. I'm sure many have lost services with everything so stretched. You never have to look very far to find someone who is suffering much more than you are. I'm glad you recalled this to mind. The silent Caring world has become even quieter and we mustn't forget that it is still there. Thank you. 🙏🌷
It's on a Facebook dementia page. Carers with loved ones who are isolated and unvisited in hospital or nursing homes. They can't understand what is going on and one poor person has cancer and dementia. It must be so hard to not be able to see your loved one when time left is short.
so touched by all the good wishes I’m receiving for my sister. Bless you 🌷
My thoughts are with your sister. I nursed my mother with vascular dementia and it’s hard. 😥🙏
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Thanks so much for taking time to offer your good wishes for my sister. Dementia of any kind is a horrible and destructive thing, as you obviously already know. I lost another of my own sisters to it. So your thoughts are especially appreciated. Thanks again, so much 🌷
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I lost my beloved nan to senile dementia so have left part of my brain to dementia research 🙏
A very good quote Hidden . Most of us fear what's happening at present but the way I see it is it's bringing people together more, virtual most of the time, apart from those buying shopping for others and then dropping it off on doorsteps. I also think with this happening quite a few of us will start to appreciated the smaller things in life and that can only be classed as a good thing.
I really feel for your sister and I resonate with what Hidden has said below in that they are true martyrs and I've got nothing but respect for them.
Look after yourself and stay safe.
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Thanks so much crazyfitness both for your input on the post and for your personal good wishes for my sister. I’ve now had an update and the crisis has passed for now, though sadly they will increasingly become more commonplace. It’s so lovely that so many people acknowledged the difficult time that Carers have and have wished my sister and her husband well. We are deeply moved by everyone’s compassion. 🌷
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You are welcome and people like your sister carry out a very hard job and should be recognised for what they do day in and day out, they are on call 24/7. I'm glad the crisis has passed but as you say they will become more commonplace, particularly as the disease progresses, it's very sad.
Look after yourself and I hope that this doesn't last an inordinate amount of time so that your sister can get the love and support she so desperately needs.
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A quotation for Tuesday 31st March 2020