‘ENCOURAGE YOUR LOVED ONE’ By Mercy Karumba

How does support and encouragement to keep you going make you feel? How much better does it feel if this is from your...


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How does support and encouragement to keep you going make you feel? How much better does it feel if this is from your loved one; that person who holds such a special place in your heart?

A Clinical Officer shares his story,”It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman, in his 80s, arrived to have his stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry and that that he an appointment at 9am. I sensed his urgency and told him to take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided that since I was not busy, I would evaluate his wound.

On examination, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and re-dressed his wound. While taking care of him, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me,” No, i need to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with my wife. “

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.

As we talked and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, and hadn’t recognized him in five years. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?” He smiled and patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”

Many a time, that special person in your life may be going through such tough moments that they no longer know who they are, who is on their team or even what next. Who knows them more than you do? Who should be on their team and keep them going more than you?

Identify what is important to your man or to your woman. Is it that business that keeps failing but he/she really wants to work it through even when all seems lost? Is it their education though you feel,they are already past that? Is it their job, even when everyone seems to be against him/her? Is it that talent that just seems out of place for you but means a lot to them? It is you to encourage and be on their side. When she knows you are on her team no matter what, that is when even your advice will be welcome. She may be going through such a hard time that she feels like everyone is against her or doesn’t understand her including you, but you know her and that is what matters.

Ladies are emotional beings. When a lady is introducing her man, unlike men who talk about having the most beautiful wife, a lady talks about having a supportive man. If you want to have her for keeps, support and encourage her with what really matters most to her. Remember,“Real giving is when we give to our spouses what is important to them, whether we understand it, like it or agree with it”– Michelle Welmer Davis.  To get a male perspective, please click HERE to read my colleague’s Mitchell’s post.

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