By NANCY PATRICK I often hear people use the terms “caregiver” and “caretaker” interchangeably. Since I have actually served in both positions, I like to distinguish between them. I also like the British term “carer” as it implies the emotion rather than the action of the one who cares. “Caretaking” most often refers to the management of inanimate objects such
Read moreBy NANCY PATRICK Norma Jean Crossed the railroad tracks Lookin’ for her daddy— Found him in the bar; “Come home, Daddy,” she said again. Car in the lane Who’s that lady in the car? Daddy yells at Momma. Momma cries again. Playin’ in the tree. Daddy’d said “don’t.” Fell out and cracked her arm. Daddy said, “damn” again. Daddy’s real
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK This may sound crazy, but I love women. They amaze me, they astound me, they mystify me, they inspire me, and they sometimes confound me. Women exhibit strength, resilience, courage, intelligence, adaptability, and loyalty. The wide array of women’s qualities strikes me with awe. Traditionally, women have served auxiliary roles in society—roles such as homemaker, mother, teacher,
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK My husband Mike and I made a rather spontaneous plan to visit our granddaughter Hannah in Denver this summer. We decided to make a road trip of it so we could visit several places along the way. Our itinerary required that we spend three nights in hotels as we made our way to Denver. All our accommodations
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK Psalm 24: 1-2 (NIV) The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Today’s media bombards us with news about national borders, ethnic groups, immigration (legal and illegal), and refugee crises around the world. I can
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK If you cringed at the title, let me assure you that I will not profile my son as the perfect child. On the contrary, I want to introduce to you my 44-year-old son Jason Patrick, including some of the plusses and minuses on his resume. I just spent four days in the Northern Neck of Virginia with
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK We often find ourselves in situations that irk us in various ways. Most of us want our own way and do not appreciate interference from others. Human beings begin life as selfish little babies who have no inclination to care about others. As we mature, most of us develop a social conscience that allows us to participate
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK I recently watched a 3-part movie entitled The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (Him/Her/Them). Each segment focuses on one point of view to tell the same story of a young couple’s love and marriage. The main character, Eleanor Rigby, disappears both literally and figuratively after the unexplained death of her infant son. She believed the baby’s death had
Read more
By NANCY PATRICK I faithfully watch a PBS series entitled Call the Midwife. Nonnatus House, the setting, serves as the residence for several nuns and nurses who provide midwifery as well as basic medical care for London’s poverty-ridden East End, beginning shortly after WWII. The convent’s leader and main nurse is Sister Julienne. Sister Julienne represents the kind of woman
Read more
Spirit Of Abilene 