Each time that a crisis occurred when I was caring for my elderly parents, I took a deep breath and tried to focus on finding a temporary solution to the prevailing problem. It would be a time to investigate alternatives and options for the issue I was facing. That always required doing some research.
Please join us at the National Western Stock Show for AARP Day on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. AARP members and guests will receive $6 off regular priced tickets on the January 20th 7:00 p.m. rodeo plus service fees will be waived.
As Ms. America International 2016, my journey is not only about making a difference in the lives of others but to encourage those I meet along the way to do the same. But with so many worthy causes, deserving charities and individuals in need, sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. “It made a difference to that one” are the words that inspire and motivate me to get involved every day especially when I’m feeling small and helpless during troubling times. I think we all have those moments where overwhelming events or circumstances leave us feeling hopeless and believing that one person can’t possibly make a difference in a world where there is so much turmoil. These are the times that I am reminded of “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley (or “The Starfish Story”) which is about a man throwing starfish beached after a storm back into the sea so they didn’t die in the morning sun. When told there were too many to save and that he could not make a difference, the man smiled, threw another starfish back into the sea and said “it made a difference to that one”. Whether it is a friendly smile, words of kindness or comfort, or reaching out to help someone in need, we all have the power to change a life, a mind, or a circumstance one kind gesture at a time. Have you saved your “starfish” today?
The most frustrating part of taking care of my parents was navigating whatever bureaucracy of the moment confronted me. And there were many of them including insurance companies, Medicare, home health, caregiving agencies, emergency rooms, dementia units, respite care, and on and on.