213. Finding Faith and Joy in Caregiving: How My Faith Played A Pivotal Role Through My Husband's Stroke Journey

Aging in Style with Lori Williams

Grappling with Faith

When you're faced with a loved one's health crisis—be it a spouse, child, or parent—it's natural to question and confront every emotion you feel, including those tied to faith. Experiences like this can push some to lose faith, while others find their faith strengthened. Personally, during the two years since my husband Mark suffered four strokes, I've found my faith not just intact but growing. Of course, I've had moments of profound anger and even directed harsh words at God, questioning why this would happen to us.

Questioning Why

It's very human to ask why catastrophic illnesses affect our loved ones. Watching someone you cherish suffer is excruciating, and it's common to feel helpless and angry at the situation—and even at God. You're left wondering why such a wonderful person, who has only shown kindness, has to endure such hardship. But I've learned to turn to my faith for strength. This is not to say everyone will resonate with this path, but for me, prayer and my relationship with God have been pivotal. It's important to find a purpose amidst the struggle.

Finding a Purpose

Through this challenging journey, I discovered a new purpose—to educate others about strokes. By sharing our story, I've been able to help many, whether through my podcast, my book, or the Stroke Smart series I developed. Educating others about preventing strokes, navigating medical systems, and being a caregiver has been a pathway I never expected but one I now embrace.

Embracing Joy in Caregiving

At first, becoming a caregiver was the one thing I never wanted to do. But I learned to find joy in the role. Little things, like funny moments shared with Mark, have brought laughter and light. It's okay to find humor in unexpected places, like when our beloved dog Sadie ended up with chicken pot pie on her head due to a caregiving "mishap!"

Sustaining Faith

If your loved one is a person of faith, it's important to help them maintain their spiritual practices. Whether it's attending mass or having someone pray with them, these moments can be profoundly comforting. Navigating the emotions tied to faith—from sadness and anger to peace and growth—is okay. We must remember to seek support, whether from therapists, support groups, or spiritual leaders.

Miracles in Everyday Life

Even amidst trials, I've witnessed miracles. There are moments when seemingly small blessings, like a stranger’s kind word or someone paying for a coffee at Starbucks, remind me of the goodness in the world. My experience with a kind driver who stayed with me during a tense hospital visit was such a moment of grace.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Testimony
• 01:11 The Role of Faith in Caregiving
• 02:29 Struggling with Faith During Health Crises
• 04:16 Finding Strength in Faith
• 06:44 Purpose and Growth Through Adversity
• 07:50 Finding Joy in Small Moments
• 08:40 Finding Joy in Caregiving
• 09:08 A Funny Story About Mark and Sadie
• 11:18 The Importance of Faith in Dementia Care
• 11:56 Navigating Emotions and Seeking Support
• 12:50 Little Miracles and Acts of Kindness
• 16:13 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

Takeaways:

1. Faith in the Face of Crisis: When caring for a loved one with a severe illness, your faith can be challenged. However, it can also become a source of strength and growth during difficult times.
2. Finding Purpose Through Struggles: Difficult experiences can unexpectedly lead to discovering new purposes, such as sharing knowledge and educating others about specific health issues.
3. Embracing Joy and Humor: Even in trying circumstances, finding moments of humor and joy can be crucial for emotional resilience, especially in caregiving roles.
4. Maintaining Spiritual Practices: For those with a strong faith, continuing spiritual practices can provide comfort and continuity, even when facing cognitive challenges like dementia.
5. Recognizing Everyday Miracles: Small acts of kindness and unexpected support from others can be seen as miracles, providing hope and affirmation of the goodness in the world.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Get my new book, 'Surrounded by Love: One's Family Journey Through Stroke Recovery': https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/book

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Mentioned in this episode:

Surrounded by Love

You can find my book, "Surrounded by Love: One Family’s Journey Through Stroke Recovery," on Amazon. It is available as a Kindle, hardcover, paperback, and also on Audible. More details can be found on my website: https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/book