Over the course of the past weeks I’ve become my mom’s fulltime caretaker. It’s an exhausting experience and requires my attention round the clock. I’m learning that I must find ways to take care of myself in order to be able to take care of her.
Every day I take what few minutes I can to go outside into the garden and allow the beauty of nature to soothe and comfort me. These precious moments in nature have become my lifeline, and I’m so grateful to the birds and other wildlife who have made each day such a treasure.
We’ve got my mom’s hospital bed set up in a bay window with a view of a large Eastern Red Cedar dripping with berries and lots of Winterberry, too. I sit with her and tell her about each species of bird that is coming to feed on those berries.
We’ve got Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Mockingbirds, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Robins, and all manner of migrating Warblers. She has become fascinated with each and every one of them, and it is my pleasure to share my love of the natural world with her, and hoping that maybe it helps to soothe her too.
What she really loves to watch, though are the deer. A good friend brought a bunch of pumpkins to the house and placed their broken pieces around the back end of the garden that is visible from my mom’s window. Every evening at dusk, and every morning at dawn the deer come to feed on the pumpkins.
These gentle mammals are giving such a wonderful gift to my mom, and to me as well. They make her so happy, calm her, and provide a short respite for her to enjoy.
I am deeply grateful for the gifts the deer bring every day!
© 2011, Carole Sevilla Brown. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Carole Sevilla Brown
Our mother passed away almost 2 years ago from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. During her stay in the nursing facility we were fortunate to have her bed next to a window overlooking a beautiful garden frequented by miriad birds. She so loved watching them and seeing the beautiful plants. And on her bad days we could relate to her all that we could see. It made the passing so much more bearable.
Nature is such a powerful healer for the spirit! Wonderful that you & mom can share some of it together right now~
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Dear Carole, How wonderful that the deer are giving her comfort and enjoyment. I think they’re charming, too, but, they haven’t moved into my garden. Yet! gail
May you and your mom continue to find peace and joy in nature, and may you find comfort.
God bless.
I too took care of my Mom.
What gave her a great deal of delight is having her tell about my critters.
I had Icelandic Sheep, ducks, geese, horses and dogs.
But what she loved the most for me to tell her about Mr Frodo one of my Rams.
He was quite a character, I also had llamas and I used to make the sound the llamas made when I came feed everyone.
She would tell her guests, friends and make the sound of the llamas. They would ask her how she knew what sound they made, “my daughter made the sound for me”.
I miss her so.
elayne
Now I wonder if offering pumpkin would distract deer from eating prized plants?
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Your post brought back so many memories, Carole. My husband and I cared for both my parents during for many years their illnesses until they passed. Yes, it is a difficult undertaking in life. In hindsight, however, we would not have done it differently. The deer are a special gift to your mom. And, a dear Daughter is priceless.
I will keep you and your mother close to my heart. Take care. <3
May all your gardens grow,
Jan
Deer are so beautiful and graceful–great photos
Observing wildlife can be therapeutic (for the patient and the caregiver). I’m so glad you live in an area where your mother can enjoy these gifts of nature. Take care…
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Carole, how lovely to be able to share your love with your mom and that a gentle creature, deer, brings such peace….
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I didn’t know that deer eat pumpkins. What lovely photos. I would love to watch them too.