“From caring comes courage.” — Lao Tzu
As a caregiver for my family members, I have seen how true this quote is.
It takes courage to watch someone you love slip away.
My great uncle, Stanley, was born with a hole in his heart and chromosomal miscounts. When he was born, there were several complications.
Because of this, he needed caregivers throughout his life to ensure his wellbeing.
I’m honored to have been a caregiver for my Uncle Stanley.
As a child, I admired his work ethic. He would diligently pull his cart behind himself as he did chores around the farm.
As an animal lover, he ensured that the animals were well taken care of.
He was loyal to his faith, family and the farm.
He was well versed in scripture, capable of reciting many scripture verses from memory.
His memory served him well as a history buff. He might have even known more about the U.S. presidents than they knew about themselves.
Most importantly, he remembered the importance of family.
My mother told me that as he was explaining his final wishes to her, he asked if I was able to afford to go to college.
He asked that memorials go to the church and some are set aside if I couldn’t afford my schooling.
He told people, “That girl is going places.” And he wanted to make sure I could go wherever life led me.
The happy childhood memories I have with him are comforting.
Swimming while he sat next to the pool reading, coloring raw eggs with markers because I loved decorating Easter eggs and my personal favorite…
He let me sit next to him or on his lap while he read to me.
As a child, I didn’t think of taking care of Stanley as caregiving.
Even now, I don’t initially think of myself as a caregiver.
I take care of my family because I love them.
Hearing the doctors say that surgery on Stanley’s heart had over a 90 percent chance of failure really hurt.
Even if surgery was successful, the recovery would be too difficult.
Stanley decided that he didn’t want cardiovascular surgery.
My family and I knew that over time Stanley’s heart would become weaker.
My heart ached as I watched his health decline.
Even though he had heart failure, his love never failed.
Stanley loved God and his family. He didn’t want to die in front of my grandmother or on my birthday.
For his funeral, he asked that John 3:16-18 KJV be read.
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Stanley Kent, 81 passed away on the morning of May 8, 2018.
He fell back into my dad’s arms, and we both watched him take his last breath.
He lived his life for God and shared God’s love with anyone he met.
I am honored that he has entrusted me with his Bible.
It takes courage to watch someone you love slip away.
Caring for Stanley has given me the courage to continue his legacy.
He was a special man who lived a special life.
Written in loving memory of Stanley Kent.
