Hi Carlyn
It’s eKim writing to you. I have posted in this thread before, although I am only a sporadic contributor to Virtual Hospice.
I feel that I am a compassionate person – I have volunteered at our hospice for 5 years, however I have not had any severe adversity or great loss that others have who share on Virtual Hospice. As a result I feel as though the “sharing” is best left to others who are on a similar path and thereby can offer true empathy and not simply compassion.
Nonetheless, I have learned to respond to my intuition and when the V.H. email arrived with your posting, I felt compelled to respond.
Carlyn, you wrote: “I'm glad I finally joined this forum today. It's a wonderful resource and I would like to see it grow in members. The more support we all have, the better I think. I know I need a fair bit of support just now and that's new for me so I'm grateful for this place. Thanks everyone.”
I am a huge believer in what I call, “Serendipitous Compassion From Strangers Amongst Us”. I have benefited greatly from this phenomena many times in my life and as a result I attempt to “Pay It Backwards”, if you will. Lol
At hospice our total focus is to provide as much psychosocial and/or spiritual care that is wanted by the residents and families. I am drawn to comfort those amongst us who do not feel as though they have enough comfort from other people in their life. So, if my words comfort you, then my duty is done.
Carlyn, you stated: “I need this forum as a resource for myself now. Caregiving for ourselves is hard i'm finding out, especially when illness or disease is causing difficulty with self care.”
Carlyn, who is available to you in your immediate circle of supporting friends and/or family? Are they fully able to “be there” for you, to help you both in practical and psychosocial matters? You seem to need more than what is availed to you. Virtual Hospice is a great place to anonymously share with compassionate people”.
Please, tell us here at Virtual Hospice a bit more about yourself and your story and how we may reach out to you in a compassionate and helpful way.
I wish you the best Carlyn. Here’s my hope that all your troubles will magically go away. I love hope, don’t you?
- eKim
Ps I have a short personal story to share with you – but I won’t in this posting. Firstly it would make the posting too long and secondly it concerns my 3 year old grandson’s concept of the afterlife. I’m not sure if people what to hear a story from a rambling old grandpa. Lol If anyone out there wishes to hear this story, let me know.