If You Had Five Hours and $500, What Would You Do?
Feb 18 2013 in Tell Us by Denise
This morning during our Rise N Shine class (part of our CarePASS membership program), @jbones1961 and @g-j and I talked about the responsibilities of a caregiving life. We discussed how hard it can be to enjoy a true break.
So, I asked, what would you do if you had five hours and $500? How would you spend the time and the money? During this time, your caree and family receives the care they need–you have no worries about them.
I’d love to know your answer. Your caree has the care he or she needs. You have five hours and $500. What would you do?
Please share your answers in our comments section, below. A random winner will receive three of our Caregiving.com reusable bags and one of our Caregiving.com t-shirts, which sings your praises; the t-shirt reads “I’m a Family Caregiver; Our World Is Better Because of Me.”
Have fun!
Related Articles
- An ID Badge Just for You (caregiving.com)
- Consider Keeping Acts of Service in the Family (caregiving.com)
- What’s the Worst Caregiving Emotion? (caregiving.com)
- The Future of Caregiving: A Community Care Squad? (caregiving.com)
- FMLA and the Working Family Caregiver (caregiving.com)
- What’s Going Well for You Today? (caregiving.com)
- In Six Words, What’s a Caregiving Fear? (caregiving.com)
- In Six Words, How Do You Define Caregiving? (caregiving.com)
Janisis said on February 18, 2013
If I had $500 and five, uninterrupted hours to call my very own, I’d be happier than I’ve been in at least two years. Just knowing I could nap or bathe or ?? do anything w/o feeling pressured to get back to my patient would be a blessing. I don’t really know what would be best, money or time. But, money and time?? oh my! oh my! I know exactly what I would do with both. I’d take myself to the nearest day spa and I’d pay for a massage. The thought of being touched by another human being is almost overwhelming. I never allow myself to think about it, because, there’s very little I can do about it. To surrender to the clock and to relax? place myself in someone else’s care. To be tended to? to be touched? Yeah, I know exactly what I would do. After my massage, I’d go to the market and buy flowers. A big bouquet to take home to share with my beloved, my patient. We’d arrange them in the bedroom and on the table where we eat our meals. We would probably spend time photographing them, because we are like that. I’d buy some groceries, certainly spending some of the money on luxury items we can rarely afford. Or I’d just stock up on some of those things that are so much cheaper in bulk. I’d be spending ALL the money. Partly on unheard of extravagant splurges, like a massage and a little on shared goodies for both of us.
@gail said on February 18, 2013
Dear Janisis,
I can feel and taste your happiness, Janisis! I wish I had the five hours and five hundred dollars to give to you! If only….. I know that if I had that extra five hours and five hundred dollars? I would buy 5-6 sessions with you, @denise, and then bask in them. I would relish your input and advice upon my life. Who knows that might happen one day right?
Take care, friend Janisis! Hopefully one day…. {{HUGS}} (There is some human touch for you in my virtual arms!!!!!
donna said on February 18, 2013
Each spring as the days grow warmer and birds increase their songs, I begin daydreaming about taking a little road trip. My only companions would be a stack of my favorite cd’s, sunglasses, and a giant Diet Coke. If I had $500 tucked away in the glove box, I imagine I could manage a few stops along the way. I would explore little antique shops or thrift stores, looking for impractical treasures. I rarely splurge on myself since our budget’s so tight, so would happily bring most of the money home to share with my family.
Ray said on February 22, 2013
Hope this doesnt sound stupid, but I would give the $500 away, and take a well deserved nap.
Denise said on February 22, 2013
Hi Ray–I took a nap this afternoon and read your comment when I woke up. I think it’s awesome.
Made me really appreciate my nap.
ejourneys said on February 23, 2013
I’m with Ray!
At this time, I would donate the $500 to Caregiving.com and the five hours to a caregiving time bank. I am fortunate in that I can usually take some time away. These days my idea of heaven is taking my eReader, MP3 player, and journal notebook either to the porch or — when I really need to get away — to the park. Or to the library if the weather is bad. Being alone with my thoughts and in a place of uninterrupted peace hits the spot for me right now.
There may come a time when I can’t do that. If such a time comes to pass, that’s when I’ll dip into that time bank and welcome the funds if I need them. For now, I would want them to help meet a greater need.