I was blessed to have had the opportunity to care for my beautiful mother in the last years of her life. It’s a rollercoaster life—frustrating, satisfying, and a very emotional adventure! My mom passed away at 83 years old, and I miss her more than anything! Some of the ways you can honor your parents are as follows;

Talk to them — ask about their day, ask questions about their childhood, their fondest memories

Be kind — leave something unsaid, give compliments, acknowledge something they have done

Keep them involved — include them in your decisions, ask their opinion, encourage them to call a friend

Pray for them — pray with them, ask them to pray for you, share scripture

Take them out — shopping, dinner, estate sales, the park or beach, an ice cream cone

Give them a task — folding clothes, peeling potatoes, making crafts, helping with chores

Be affectionate — a hug, a pat on the back, kiss on the cheek, and an I LOVE YOU.

Appreciate them — thank them, give them a greeting card, bring home flowers

Cook for them — their favorite meal, a special dessert, something they mention

Take them on a trip — places they want to visit, a cruise, to visit friends or relatives

Help them look good — match their clothes, fix their hair, paint their nails, spritz their favorite perfume

Make them safe — grab bars, bed rails, brighter lights, a bell on the nightstand, fall detection

Lets Party — make a big deal on their birthday, all holidays, play music they like, snap pictures

Take care of chores — pick up prescriptions, make appointments, do the laundry, and get their medications ready

Go through pictures — ask about family photos, recall past events, and remember good times

Discuss your loved ones feelings, ask about them, validate them, hear them, and really listen

There are so many things you can do to value your parents and honor their existence! Keep in mind that their world is getting smaller by the day. They can no longer do the things they used to. Maybe their sight is going bad, or their hearing ability. They may be depressed; after losing my dad my mom would question why she was still here and what her purpose was. It is sad and scary to hear your loved one speak this way. It was an honor to take care of my mother. I made mistakes, got things wrong, and was not as patient or kind as I should have been at times. Yet in the long run, I got a lot of things right, and I believe my mom was happy I was there for her and that I took good care of her. I pray she knew how much she was loved, and she will be missed until my last breath. We hope your journey is enlightening, precious, fulfilling, and full of love!  We can only try to do our best each day! It is a big job, and there are plenty of resources available for caregivers! Go online and find the help you need to be successful!