She is a Light!

I met Mary last July at church. She was new and I decided I should introduce myself. She immediately told me her birthday was coming up in the next week. Jimmy and I took her a little gift and got to visit for a few minutes with her dad. They brought us cookies and her mom mentioned they were looking for a caregiver for Mary, and if I knew anyone at church who would be interested. I share this because I find it an inspired situation. I had been thinking about offering to hang out with Mary once or twice a week as respite for her parents. Hmmm (Heather thinking, thinking) I told her I might be interested.

It’s the perfect situation for me to be able to earn a little extra money each month. I go to her home twice a week for 6 hrs at a time, receiving $18/hr. I do her schedule with her. Chores, homework, exercise, reading, arts and crafts, baking, etc. Her mom teaches online school from home and dad is retired and working around the house.

I seriously love Mary! Oh my goodness. She makes me laugh, even when she is cranky. She tells me randomly that she loves me. So I think it’s been a good situation for both of us. I never considered that I would enjoy or have a job like this, but with this situation and family, it seems such a blessing.Recently Mary broke her foot (sneaking crackers from the pantry on a stool) and was in a boot for 6 weeks. A European vacation was already booked so for the past month we’ve tried to get her in shape and strengthen her ankle to handle all the many, many stairs. We have been walking at the Harbor because it has stairs and ramps. Plus it is by the lake and the mini lighthouse. Anyhoo… here’s a pic of us on our walk (in watercolor… ewww, fancy! lol) Mary endures the walk better with music so she uses her cd player to listen to Beach Boys or some other classics.I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn more about Mary and her special nature!