Do you wish that you could take a step back from the busyness of your life and take a few moments to reflect on what’s important to you? Why don’t you find a peaceful spot, whether in reality or in your mind, and think about your priorities? This COVID-19 season has given the Lady-Links opportunity to do just that. We’ve each found a quiet time and a quiet spot to think about our dear friends, and how to handle this time of not being able to visit them. We live in a retirement community under a Shelter in Place situation that restricts in-person visits to our dear friends. As a result, we are taking time to remember, reflect on, and appreciate the relationships we’ve established with the sweet ladies in various stages of cognitive decline we call dear friends. We’re taking time to slow down, find a quiet spot, and reflect on how to continue our priority of bringing love and laughter into the lives of our dear friends without an actual visit. This time of reflection and quiet contemplation has been good.
Most of all, we want to keep connected to our dear friends. Collectively, we’ve decided that the best thing we can do during this time is to keep connected by sending cards or notes. We are careful what we write to our dear friends, keeping our messages upbeat and positive. We don’t mention COVID-19 because that’s not our responsibility to try to explain what’s happening. That would probably cause confusion or even anxiety. We are simply friends connecting with friends, and since we can’t visit them, a short, cheerful card or note helps bring a measure of joy into their lives.
Husbands and caregivers of our dear friends tell us that our dear friends treasure our cards, holding them and looking at them frequently. They know that “a friend” sent the card to them and, although some can’t read the message, they enjoy having the card itself.
Each Lady-Link chooses what type of card she wants to send her dear friend, and most are choosing ones with bright colors and designs. Some are homemade, but most are store-bought. All have a short cheerful message. Some of our favorites are:
- Have a Great Day
- Sending Hugs and Smiles Your Way
- Thinking of You
- Wishing You a Beautiful Day
- You’re in my Thoughts
- Just Saying Hi
- Hello Sweet Friend
The husbands of our dear friends need our encouragement too, and we want them to know that we recognize their strength, courage, and dedication as caregivers during this time when they’re probably shouldering this responsibility alone. So we are sending separate cards to the husbands that hopefully will brighten their day. Sometimes just a kind word can make all the difference in the world to a caregiver.
If you know of a loved one or a friend who has cognitive difficulties, why not send them a cheerful card? And, while you’re at it, send one to their caregiver as well. It could be that you’ll provide just what’s needed to get them through a difficult time.
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