Time passes so quickly as an adult. I watch my children get older before my eyes and can’t even begin to comprehend how the time has gone by so quickly. At the other extreme, I watch as my grandparents and even grandparents get older and again wonder where the years has gone. Time just has a way of getting away from me and I would assume all of us and we just don’t have a way of bringing it back.
I know that my family knows I love them no matter what any of us go through. As my parents and grandparents get older and are plagued by assaults to their body and emotionally dealing with their bodies turning against them, I feel guilty that I can’t do more to help them. My husband and I are both only children and I’m the only grandchild at all on one side of my family, I feel responsible for them all and want to see them thriving and existing as if nothing has changed.
And while I know that time has passed and they have gotten older and things just happen for no reason, I just can’t help myself. I want to do something, anything, to help them through everything they’re going through. As they each deal with their own ailments and things from the common cold and flu to fibromyalgia and cancer, I try to find ways to make their lives a little easier and joyful than it would have been had I not persisted and put in an effort.
Seemingly small things to each of us in our busy lives can result in a big impact on family members that are sick or recovering from an operation. I’ve created a quick list of 3 easy things to show you care and bring a smile to a sick loved one’s face.
- Call them on the phone. Yes, this may be the digital age and with our busy lives texting might be our default mode of communication but talking to someone and hearing the emotions and feeling in their voice can really result in a more meaningful interaction.
- Send them a card. With the popularity of email and even the postal service limiting their delivery days, it’s easy to forget the joyful simplicity in receiving a letter. Or better yet, sending a care package filled with your loved one’s favorite things and comfort items like a homemade treat, flowers, or Kleenex Care Packs to help make it through the rough spots.
- Visit together. Give them the face-to-face connectedness they need by popping in for a quick visit or surprising them by visiting from far away. Before dogs and kids, my husband and I would frequently surprise loved ones at various stages in their lives with a visit to brighten their spirits and enjoy their company.
Kleenex brand, America’s softest tissue*, knows that once one experiences the softness of Kleenex brand tissues, they will be eager to share it with other cold and flu sufferers, friends and strangers alike, as a way to show they care. This cold and flu season, make the care complete with a Kleenex Brand Care Pack, and together we’ll turn a seemingly-small gesture into something bigger, to make everyone feel better. Visit kleenex.com/softness to learn more.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Kleenex via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kleenex.
Small things always count big in my eyes.
I totally agree with this! I love sending paper cards for little occasions, they really do mean a lot. When my loved ones get sick, I think about what my mom would do for me when I was little. My grandma got a really bad flu bug last year, so while she was recovering I brought her magazines and DVDs to keep her entertained while she was in bed, because I remember being a kid and having my mom bring me a MAD magazine while I had a cold. I think moms know best and things like that are always comforting!
There is just something about the human touch. Just being there. (BTW – those flowers are gorgeous!)
My Mom is 80 and in the ICU after her second heart surgery. She had 5 arteries done and a valve repaired. It is really awful. I have been there for her-driving her to the hospital and staying all day, visiting, etc. She will come home to our house.
So many people have forgotten how much the personal touch means, in this age of emailing and texting everything. Great entry!
I am a huge card freak!! I love putting a stamp on things and mailing them… especially things from Alex to GrandParents
I have definitely started picking up the phone more, to call my parents. Love this post!
I like to make a meal for a sick friend, or offer to take the kids so they can get some rest.
This is so nice. I need to do all of this.
These are great reminders of what we can do when someone is sick. Wish someone would do some of them for me right now, as I have caught the bug that is going around LOL.
It’s totally the little things that can make such a big difference, isn’t it?
It’s definitely the little things that mean the most. Well, at least with most people. Just taking the time to make a simple phone call or paying someone a visit means so much to most of us.
I love making my loved ones homemade soup when they are sick!
It always start with that little thought!
a phone call means so much now a days
People sometimes forget that is the little things that folks appreciate the most. Picking up the phone to see how someone is doing doesn’t cost a thing and it may very well make someone’s day.
Small things are the things that are remembered the most. Especially in the hard times! I love the idea of care packages and calling.
When I am sick, what I most appreciate is when someone finds time to pick up my boys from school! That’s the worse, having to pull over to puke or barely being able to drive – not safe for the kids either! My mom, dad, sister and husband have all helped me in my time of need!
It’s the thought that went into having that care pack sent that makes the biggest difference.
My phone was my lifeline when I was hospitalized recently!
Its when my family wants to hear from us the most.
I LOVE to help when my friends are sick. It takes SUCH little effort and really means a lot when there is a personal touch! Really just calling or giving a card goes a long way! Thank you for the reminder!
Totally amazing post. I think sometimes we all get so busy we forget to remember how much the small things count.
It’s always important to show those we love just how much we care about them. Such little things can do so much good for the spirit.