Art and Connection!

Fam, yesterday was a perfect day. And that’s not hyperbole.

I’m a wordsmith. I’m gangsta about the words I choose. So trust me when I say that yesterday was perfection.

For those of you that follow me, you know that I’m a co-caregiver for my mom with my sister. Tag teaming to be there for her, I return home every quarter to spend time, do whatever she needs and give my sister a break for a minimum of two weeks.

I liken it to being an anthropologist, where I live with and help care for our mom 24 hours a day, observing her in her natural habit to get a real time understanding of how she’s doing and what she needs.

As you can imagine, sometimes it’s stressful. Momma has physical and memory challenges, and she’s independent as hell. Also, no matter how old we get, she’s still the momma no matter what. 😂

So…ain’t no telling her stubborn 74-year-old self what to do. We have to get in where we fit in. Be patient. And creatively take a stealth hands off approach to remind her to take her medicine, drink more water and eat healthier food.

And real talk? I’m so grateful, Sistah and I got each others backs while we balance our own busy lives and co-daughter her. But between shuffling Momma back and forth to doctors appointments, trying to find a compatible, dependable caregiver and renovating the only home she’s ever known to keep her safe and comfortable in ..It can still be a lot, Fam.

And sometimes, despite our best intentions, Sistah and I just focus on momma’s emergency needs. You know, like how the “bad” kid in the classroom gets all of the attention? Same thing. It’s so easy to just focus on momma’s medical needs. Almost in robotic fashion.

But yesterday, I got a wonderful reminder:

ART IS MEDICINE. AND CONNECTIONS HEAL.

Momma loves flowers. And every chance we get, we bring her fresh ones to arrange and care for. What I didn’t know, though, is that she loves art, too! And it was abundantly clear when we visited our church friend Priscilla Pfifer’s home galley yesterday.

Like a giggly kid on a field trip, she curiously gazed at the vibrant, colorful paintings, asked thoughtful questions and engaged with Priscilla, 79, in such a beautiful way.

I haven’t seen Momma so animated in such a long time. And we have art and Priscilla’s heart to thank for that.

From now on, Sistah and I are going to include art therapy as part of our care for Momma. We even have a plan — thanks to Priscilla’s brilliant suggestion — to do a family art project using Momma’s coca cola can collection this summer. (Stay tuned for those pics!)

And for my fellow caregivers reading this, I know it’s hard. And I know your loved one needs a lot from you. But do yourselves a favor:

Spend time with them smelling the roses.

Dance with each other to their favorite music.

Cook their favorite goodies together.

Finger paint with them.

Sing off key together at the top of your lungs.

Whatever brings them joy.

Because having fun with art is just as important when you’re a caregiver.

It’s a wonderful way to connect.

And it’s a fun, beautiful way to express your love.

Readers Thoughts About Art & Connection!