SheriM - Too Stubborn to Stop Dreamin' - SURPRISE!!!

[Beekissed]

Sheri, you sound like you just need a break!

You have a lot on your plate. Could it be time to re-examine things? Is there anything that you can take off your plate? A few of the animals perhaps? This is probably not what you want to hear, but it is the first thing that comes to mind.

I am sorry that you feel so overloaded, wish I were closer, I would love to come play with some little goats!

I was going to suggest the same thing. Maybe God is trying to tell you that you have a greater priority than raising animals right now? I can't imagine how you get it all done and the extra stress has to be wearing you down!

There is a time for everything on this earth and the time for raising your own animals and doing the whole SS thing may be just a little further down the road for you. Who knows?

I think, other than hatred and jealousy, guilt is one of the most time-consuming and useless emotions we carry. Shake it off, Miss Sheri, no one is judging you....grieve it, pray over it, and just let it go!

 

[SheriM]

I understand what you are trying to say about having a higher priority than raising animals right now, but if there's anything I've learned about being a caregiver to someone with dementia, it's that I must care for myself too. Having animals is the one thing I have left that nourishes my soul. Despite the problems I have been having lately, without animals, there would be no balance in my life at all. That doesn't mean I won't reduce the numbers, but there will always be animals in my life in some way.

As I said in the post title "I Care", I believe God has chosen a role for me as a caregiver, and this is a bittersweet path. The pain and guilt I feel is the price I pay for learning the lessons that make me a better caregiver. Caring for means caring about and that applies to both the people and the animals in my life.

Possibly the greatest lesson I have learned so far on this journey that is my life is the power of resilience. For an old gal, I bounce pretty good. I may come here to unload when I'm feeling overwhelmed, but I always know deep down inside where it counts that these feelings will pass. I will bounce back and the moments of grief and despair will be countered with those of joy and laughter. Nothing keeps me down for long and I do apologize if this journal seems one-sided. I have shared the painful side of this crazy thing I call life here at Mountainport, but there is the good side too. I'll try to share more of that as well.

 

[SheriM]

And to start making good on my promise, here's a bit of the joyful side.

TV Night at the Mitchell Household

 

[lorihadams]

Well, now, isn't she just snug as a bug in a rug?

 

[TanksHill]

That is just the curtest thing ever!!

 

[SheriM]

You know, I just don't understand why people say I spoil my animals.

 

[SheriM]

A good friend of mine ended up with a bottle baby and no time to look after him. Since I'm off work for who-knows-how-long, I offered to take him off her hands. Lookie what I got!!!!

His name is Masai, after the tall, regal looking tribesmen in Africa.

 

[freemotion]

Awwwww! I want him!

 

[lorihadams]

Can you feel the envy coming through the computer??? She is precious! How is your other house guest doing?

 

[TTs Chicks]

how sweet.