Toolbox

A few weeks before Christmas I asked my husband to fix something in the house. Those who know him, know that he has many qualities and talents but being a handy man is not one of them. It was not before long that I could him hear swearing as he was not able to find the Allen wrench, in the duck-cloth tool bag that he uses for the tools. I thought a better toolbox would make a great Christmas gift so that's what he got and a few weeks ago he took the time to organize his new toolbox.

He still doesn't like fixing things but at least now he knows he has 5 phillips screwdrivers, no flat head one, 3 hammers and a bulk load of wrenches. He knows now what he has and were to find it and what he is missing and needs to get in the next months, years.

People working in end-of-life care talk a lot about what they have in their toolbox, what knowledge, skills, network of people and things they have collected over the years and can use as needed. I will show you my toolbox, that I am still building another time.

But all of us have a "toolbox" that we fill up during our live with skills, people and things but all those things end up just like my husband's tools on a pile; we don't know what we have and where to find them.

We all need to sit down and go through our tools in our head or even by writing them down.

Imagine you have the flu and cannot leave the house for a few days.

Who can you ask to take your dog out for a walk?

What do you have in your pantry that is easy to make and easy on your stomach?

What friend /family member can you call to complain about how miserable and sorry you feel for yourself?

Where is your favorite book that you want to re-read while snuggled up?

Who has a spare key of your house in case someone needs to get in.?

Where is your family doctors phone number?

You get the idea. I think you will be surprised on how full your toolbox is and I hope it takes care of some of your worries next time you get the flu or have to deal with a serious illness or take care of a loved one.

Gertie