33. The messy stuff

ONE DAY AT A TIME
Meditations for Carers
 
33. The messy stuff

John 13.4–5

Unless you are very fortunate, you’ll have to deal with the messy stuff sooner or later. We’re talking incontinence here. (Is this the only ‘religious’ book to deal with such basics?) Paid carers seem to manage these tasks without embarrassment or distaste but for those of us cleaning up a parent or a spouse, it can be very difficult. For a start, we may feel that what we are doing is taboo or a breach of what’s permitted. In the current situation it’s necessary, but we may be only too aware of the indignity, the embarrassment, we expect them to be feeling.

Often those feelings are ours alone and we need to deal with them if we’re going to get through this stage without further distress to our loved ones. I am so grateful to the inventor of yellow rubber gloves, air freshener and packaged disinfectant wipes for floors and surfaces. A handy supply of newspapers and bin bags helps too. Music and cheerful irrelevant chat and an open window for gulps of fresh air will help you get through.

And you will get through...


Taken from One Day at a Time: Meditations for Carers by Dorothy M.Stewart