“Keep Her Heart Fire Burning”
Today, I salute all care givers, especially family care givers.
It’s all in the heart.
Family
Billions of unpaid hours are invested by family members in the care of a Loved One suffering from a disease, in our case, Alzheimer’s.
The usual thing is that one person becomes the primary care giver. Most often, a daughter. Most often, it seems, caring for Mom; sometimes for Dad.
Often other family members live in other communities or in other parts of the country, so that it is difficult to commute. Sometimes other members simply can’t face the devastation of Alzheimer’s. They cling to the memories of Mom or Dad, or Loved One, as he or she was. Understandable.
However, distance, or even proximity, should never be an excuse for not sharing. You can send cards and flowers – and not just on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas. We still have telephones, and there is the ubiquitous internet. If you remember the process, write a letter. It is always special to receive something when you are ailing or in a care home.
Why, there is even a telegram system, whereby you can send a cable to your loved one to encourage them and to touch their hearts. That is happening in our local hospital, and it does help to know that you are being remembered.
Share your news, your good wishes – your love.
So, “ET”, Call Home!! Your Loved One is where your Heart Home is.
As the song had it in years gone by, when the young men were called to war in defence of our Home Lands, “Keep the Home Fires Burning.”
And keep the heart warm.
In tribute to the family care giver, and in memory of the song, written by Ivor Novello 1914 near the start of the First World War, music by Lena Gilbert Ford, I offer you my take on the old song, a plea from the heart, for your Loved One:
Keep Her Heart Fire Burning
Keep her heart fire burning,
While her heart is yearning,
Turn the darkness inside out
And keep the smile alive.
Keep the dream from dying,
Keep her eyes a shining,
Give her all your courage,
Keep the spark alive.
Mem’ries are so precious,
They may be all that’s left us,
Share with her to give her strength
To stay with us…
And keep the hope a flaring,
Keep the songs we’re sharing,
Keep the spirit of the dove
And we’ll share our love.
Find a silver lining,
Keep the humour thriving,
Tell her life’s old stories,
Keep the hope alive…
So
Keep her heart fires burning,
While her heart is yearning,
Turn the darkness inside out
And keep the love…
—
Keep yourself well;
She needs you
Share your story.
It really does help.
Remember:
You are not alone.
Her heart is where your home is.
—
Illustration from:
Absolutely free clipart,
Allfreeclipart.com
— —
