I remember the last days of my husband’s life, and I was driving an hour to visit him in the hospital every day. I stopped first at my favorite drive-thru for a Sumatra with an extra shot of espresso. Although I tried to relax on my way, I was also wondering how I could make his day better, I was also running through all the emergencies of the last few days, worried about what I would find out when I arrived and what complaints he would have that I couldn’t solve. There were also the things at home I was trying to fit in, like mowing the lawn, laundry, keeping up with the garden, the house, the class I was teaching.
If you are a full-time caregiver, you know what I mean, and the tension is rising as you read it. It’s common. A new caregiver and friend called me recently to ask if I could help. He was feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t matter if you are new to caregiving or have been a caregiver for years; the responsibility, isolation, and knowledge that most people have no idea what you are going through are debilitating. I was glad my friend had the good sense to ask for help.
On one of my trips to the hospital, I played a new CD and started bawling so much I had to pull over. The song was “One Day at A Time” by Merle Haggard but performed by many artists. I’m going to post the words here for you, but please look it up on the internet and play it by Lynda Randle
One day at a time
One day at a time by Lynda Randle
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking of You
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What I have to do
Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time
I’m only human
I’m just a woman
Help me believe in what I could be
And all that I am
Oh, show me the stairway
That I have to climb
Lord, for my sake, teach me to take
One day at a time
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking of You
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What I have to do
Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time
Oh, do you remember
When You walked among men
Well, Jesus, You know
If You’re looking below
That it’s worse now than then
Oh, there’s pushing and shoving
And it’s crowding my mind
So, Lord, for my sake
Teach me to take
One day at a time
One day at a time, sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m asking of You
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What I have to do
Oh, yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time
Lord, help me today
Show me the way
One day at a time
One day at a time
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