Spring has sprung.

Finally, I'm taking the time to update my blog! Life has been so busy lately, that there isn't much time to just sit down and type out any thoughts on things.

What to say. Hmmm........... I guess I could begin with the new job opportunity that came my way recently. It involves a very large house & cleaning supplies. Yes, you guessed it.....I get to do some house-cleaning! I'm actually very grateful for this opportunity, since my current job as a caregiver hasn't given me all the hours I would like. I do thank God for providing extra ways to bring in income.

The couple I clean for are very nice & have a lovely home. The husband is an acclaimed chef here in WA, and currently teaches classes in cooking at the the culinary institute at a local college. I had the fun of seeing his studio kitchen, located on the first level of their house. Pretty neat, I must say! I have been pretty interested in cooking lately, so this is right up my alley. I wish he could give me some pointers on cooking........

Everything here in WA is just bursting out into a zillion shades of green now. It's so satisfying to see the trees finally leafing out after having to endure all those months of bare branches everywhere. But then again, I find bare branches intriguing objects of photography. Branches against the background of a stormy sky; what a striking contrast....

Our plum tree is a mass of white blossoms right now. We have to enjoy it while we can. The blossoms are at their peak for only about a week, then the green leaves come to take over. The flowers have a honey-like scent, which smell wonderful on a breeze. The bees love this tree! If you ask me......it seems to grow larger each year. Each year I'm amazed at how striking the white blossoms are, especially in the sunshine. They're practically dazzling in their brightness. Every year, I take a picture of it, but I can never do justice to just how glorious those blooms really are!

My caregiving job is going well. I work with a company called Angel Advocates. The elderly lady I'm a caregiver to, has endeared herself to my heart lately. She has Alzhiemer's, so she has trouble communicating her thoughts to me, but I have found that she responds well to simple chatter, a caring touch and plenty of kindness. I have found that a smile or a hug goes such a long way with the elderly! She is really starting to like me, I think. Her face always brightens up when I walk into the room. I brought her a bouquet of forsythia blossoms today, and she was real happy. I hope they will cheer her up whenever she looks at them!

This job has been a learning experience for me, as I have never been a caregiver before. Caregiving certainly has its ups & downs, and it can be physically & emotionally demanding, but at the same time it's also quite fulfilling. There is something very nice about being able to help the helpless, if even in a very small way.
Caregiving will forever change the way you think of the elderly. I don't view them the same as I used to. They may be un-communicative, crusty, stubborn or many other things, but they still deserve our respect, kindness, and patience. They are still people, too....after all! They have the same feelings as younger people & should never be left alone to just wither away. Many elderly people are so lonely and just need someone to care about them!

Well, all for now. I hope my readers will have a wonderful Easter!