THE BUDDHIST CARER

Oh, how I yearn for Dialogic sense-making - Simple conversing. Please answer questions In ten words not a hundred. Don’t talk in riddles!...

It’s a lousy life Mine, not his, apparently He’s just said sorry.

Sense of overwhelm Subsiding, stabilising Let the calm back in.

What does low mean When it relates to a mood? Down and out of sorts. Lethargy, slowness Of thought and movement and yet Distracted, busy....

Do feelings belong, Attributed to someone, Somewhere and sometime? And where do they sit At times when life takes its course? Stored...

The weight of caring Too much to carry at times A burden? ‘Fraid so. Under the weather Not him on this occasion It’s my lethargy. Feeling...

Twenty-nine years since His first trip to Germany. We’ve never looked back. Lasagne, midges, Hand-in-hand by the lake’s shores...

As I’ve said before We’re never far from trouble It’s such a fine line. Stairs, shower, danger! Just one slip and he would fall So...

Coughing up brown phlegm Wondering - what’s that about? It is a fine line. Now googling “brown phlegm” And not liking what I find. It is...

Sunny, humid, hot A fan, no air con in sight Phew, what a scorcher! Boiling, baking, fierce Sweltering, sweating, roasting And it’s only...

Life’s a waiting room Or at least it feels that way Sitting and waiting. Meanwhile there’s mopping, Washing, reassurances, While we sit...

When I think of “time” Do I really get what it means? Dragging, flying past. Experience time Is to experience life It is being-time....

Lawn needs mowing? Stop. Clothes to wash? That too can wait. Self-regulation. Day centre today Means a few hours to myself Time for just...

Endless washing-up Washing catching on brambles Overgrown garden. Kitchen window view Of wet washing getting wet Summertime rainfall....

Better off at home Or with qualified carers? Well, I’ll be the judge. Unpaid, on my own Safety first, comfortable, Cheap at half the...

He is living a full, loving, sociable life. Or so I’ve been told. Annual appointment Lasting twenty minutes max Underpins this view....

Young, fun, attractive Positive, always laughing That was me back then. Impressions he holds Onto - three decades later - Of the me I...

Connecting train She won’t make it on time so Change of direction. Ping! Low tyre pressure Do I have the pump with me? Inflate… then...

Where do I feature Amongst mopping the floor and All the other crap?! Well and truly last Do I deserve a life, too? Bottom of the pile....

Just one of the “gifts” With Parkinson’s: choking Seldom but scary. Silence then panic Encouraging him to breathe Until it passes. A...