...on its way...

This is a proposed cover of the book that I am trying to accomplish.

I do hope to accomplish this project and get a publisher for this book.

Title: Weaving Unheard Stories; A Collection of Descriptions and Interpretations of Elderly Individuals' Loneliness.

-Abas-

Hands are precious to us...

Precious hands holding on to a "support"!

An elderly woman doing her exercise.

The precious hands of an elderly person.

"Nothing is impossible if a person is diligent and patient".

Fellow- Doctors, Indra, Peter,Steve, Professor Emeritus Howie, Dan, Sibel and Kevin.

Vested with my doctoral attire at the University of Rochester, New York. As a Borneon, I am proud to say "nothing is impossible, if a person is diligent and patient."-Abas-

After my Doctoral Graduation standing with my Academic Advisor also Professor Emeritus Howard Kirschenbaum of the University of Rochester, New York.

“The latest generation of research is affirming the importance of the person-centered relationship in counseling and psychotherapy, whatever one’s particular counseling approach.”

-Kirschenbaum-

It helps!

I have just finished reading this book. A great book to read, it helps!

The title of this book is: The hard questions for adult children and their aging parents: facing the future together, with courage and compassion. Author is Susan Piver.

Life is walking in the forest and enjoying the beauty of it."

I asked this elderly woman today, "how are you feeling that you will be reaching your 100 birthday soon?" She responded, "I am taking it easy and I don't feel that I am 100." She further asked me, "how are you keeping up with day?" I said to her, "It is OK today but often I am quite busy." She advised me, "remember to have time for yourself." She said, "life is walking into the forest while enjoying the beauty of it."

Thank God, she was on target to advise me, "she helps me to slow down a bit and look into my own needs."

..I am really tired...the journey is just too long."

Often I encountered and listened to"caregivers" adults who are taking care of their aging parents. Words and sentences came out from them such as:

"I am really tired."

"How long is this going to be?"

"Where are my other siblings?"

"I love mum very much, the nursing home is not her place."

"I pray to God to help me to handle this problem."

"I see the journey is just too long."

"I need professional help now."

Yes as a caregiver, she/he needs to reflect that "I simply cannot do everything, be everything, or achieve everything, no matter how much I want to." It is far healthier to accept limitations than to pretend that they don't exist and became flooded with frustration.

One cannot put a quart in a pint cup (Charlotte Perkins Gilman)

...words of wisdom.!

A 90 year old man asked me, "How are the leaves on the trees?" I answered, "they are beautiful but all are dropping." He responded, "that is the beauty of fall season and winter will come."

I told him, "I am glad to see the beauty of God in nature too." He further said, "Yes, you are right, I used to walk around the park but unfortunately my mobility is limited now." He was referring to his "wheel-chair" and the problem in walking.

He finally told me, "You need to take care of yourself, be healthy so that you can take care of us here." I replied, "I will surely follow your advice," and he gave me a wonderful smile.

...you need to eat healthy food, good rest and peaceful mind."

Today, I was eating my lunch with five wonderful elderly women. Three of them celebrated their 90 birthday last month. One will celebrate her 90 birthday next June, 2009. The youngest among them is 84 year old woman.

It was very rewarding to listen to their wonderful "sacred stories" of their lives. While I was listening to each one of them sharing a particular story, I saw the joy in them as they expressed their experiences in words. One of them told me, "you need to eat healthy food, good rest and peaceful mind" in order to function well. Her words of wisdom to me this morning. I am glad to have the opportunity to be with them.