By Amy Hoover Tuso

I would be hard pressed to state the number of times that I have felt totally overwhelmed, exhausted, and frightened in my role of caregiver. I have exhaled many primal screams while driving to release the built up ‘flight-or-fight’ energy that had grown to explosion force. I have fallen to my knees and let the flood of tears escape in great waves until physical exhaustion ceased the flow. I have begged God for help. I have begged Great Mystery, my ancestors and allies, my guardian angels, any and all spiritual beings to help me. Help me to do the best I can. Help me to provide the necessary assistance, support, and guidance needed to get me and the people who needed me through as painlessly as possible. I have turned myself over to God as an instrument of His love and protection, to work through me as He guides my heart, my actions, and my patience.

Whatever faith you believe in, or whatever spiritual or natural force (if any), embracing this belief may help you through those difficult times as a caregiver.

I have discovered that by connecting to my spiritual self, my inner higher self, that I can accomplish great things. This primal connection that is within each one of us is awesomely powerful. No special instruments are needed. No special building must be visited. No magical incantation must be used. All that is necessary is a sincere request for God’s help. A simple request graced with pure intention, pure love and devotion to God so one person may be used to help another. The spiritual energy force is a palpable one.

My father held a strong belief in God. He was raised a Christian and went to church growing up. He continued his practice of worshiping at church during the early years of my childhood. Somewhere along the way he stopped going to church, but he still believed in God and the teachings of the Bible. It was not until a few years before his death that he started going to church again. He and my mother found a church close to their neighborhood in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they felt a connection with the young minister and the congregation. 

Shortly before his death my two sisters and I were called by his Hospice nurse, who told us that his passing was imminent. We flew to my parents’ home. At that time Dad wanted to have Communion, and his minister agreed to come by the house with a few Deacons. 

My oldest sister holds a very strong belief in God and is quite active within her church and prayer group. She and I had a discussion prior to the arrival of Dad’s minister, where we decided that she would ask the minister to join us in forming a prayer circle around both mom and dad so we could connect with the divine energy of spirit and pass the energy onto them. 

We shared in Communion and prayer with the minister. My sister extended the invitation to join us in making the prayer circle. We had my parents sit on two chairs and then formed a circle around them. My sisters and I placed one hand on Mom and Dad and were led in prayer. The energy force that embraced us and traveled around the circle was warm and palpable. During the prayer, silent tears flowed readily. Spiritual healing and guidance were requested. Afterwards, there was a sense of peace in the room and within my Dad in particular. He said that he could feel the energy actually flow through his body.

I would like to share that I am the youngest of three sisters. My oldest sister and I share similar beliefs. We believe that there is much more to spiritual religion than the conventional beliefs.  My middle sister does not share in this. She only knows what she learned as a child within our conventional church. So when it came to forming the circle and the energy flow that ensued, she was somewhat taken aback, but nonetheless affirmed of its existence. She asked how we made “that” happen. The answer was simple…with pure intention and love. Regardless of whether or not she believed, she had felt something, and we did too.

As a caregiver I have found that if I am to perform within the best of my ability I need help. Sometimes that help comes from family members, friends, or medical professionals.  Other times that help comes from the divine presence that I find is there for the asking. Finding time to give to yourself, to replenish yourself, is a necessity! I optimize my replenishing time after my shower each morning by quietly taking a few extra minutes to pray. I find a totally comfortable, relaxing position and I offer a prayer of gratitude. I thank God and Great Mystery for all the abundance in my life. I ask for guidance and protection. I ask to be used as a vehicle of light and love.

I once was told that the greatest prayer of all is a simple one. The prayer consists of saying “thank you.” 

I have witnessed within myself the power of embracing my faith. Of having faith in faith. No matter what your faith is. Knowing that there is a realm of spiritual entities, or whatever you believe in, that runs parallel to our earthly world. It is so easy to become lost with all of the overwhelming aspects of being a caregiver.  But, all we need to remember is that someone may be but a whisper away.