Caregiver. What does that word mean to you?[/caption]

CAREGIVER – A LIFE-LIVING ROLE 

Today’s poetry prompt explores the life-living role of caregiving: what it means to have a caregiver, what it means to be a caregiver, or what it means to both have and be a caregiver. Let’s begin with an example by William McDonald.

 

MOMENTS

I want to do this.
I don’t want to do this.
I love doing this.
I hate doing this.
I can do this.
I can’t do this anymore.
The Caregiver.
By choice.
Or no choice.
You will be frightened.
You will be alone.
You will have doubt
And you will want out.
But only you will ever know.
And only you will ever know the moments that make it all worthwhile.

 

CAREGIVER • POETRY PROMPT

Caregiver. What does this word mean to you?

Do you have a caregiver? Are you a caregiver?

Set a timer for five minutes. Write down all the words and phrases that come to mind when you think about the word caregiver.

  • the memories
  • the images
  • a specific event
  • daily occurrences
  • character traits like gentle, patient, frustrated, rushed, calm, laughter
  • a scent
  • a sound
  • colors
  • a flavor
  • certain times of the day or certain days of the week
  • specific parts of your routine
  • topics of conversation
  • treatments
  • setting

CAREGIVER POETRY PROMPT • MORE IDEAS

List two good things that happened today. These can be large (for example, no unexpected crises today) or small (for example, a great cup of coffee, a few quiet moments to think).

Was today difficult or unexpectedly easy?

What verbs do you associate with caregiver? What expectations?

Have there been any surprises?

What is your relationship with the caregiver? Are they a relative – husband or wife, daughter or son, niece or nephew, uncle or aunt? Are they a neighbor, someone from your church, or a paid caregiver?

Is the caregiver you?

What have you learned?

Where have you grown?

What do you wish you had known?

What would you like to pass on to others?

 

Remember that these questions are just to get you started. Sit with the word for a bit. Allow words to form. Follow them. Allow them to speak, to tumble and roll. Once they distill into rhythm and form, please consider sharing them.

Cindee Snider Re

Cindee Snider Re

Author, Designer, and Co-Founder of Chronic Joy®

Cindee is married to the man she loves most in this world, Mom to five adult kids plus a son- and daughter-in-love, and Lolli to an adorable grandbaby. She and four of her kids have Ehlers-Danlos and myriad co-existing conditions. While a life steeped in illness is not what she would have chosen, through it, she’s learning that the deeper the valley, the greater her capacity for joy.

Cindee is the author of Discovering Hope, Finding Purpose, Embracing Worth, and I Take You in Sickness and in Health.

Kind Words for Caregivers - Note Starters

Caregivers need to be reminded that their sacrifice, endurance, and compassion are noticed, that they are seen, cared about, thought of, and prayed for, that living into this vulnerable calling matters.

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