Your Diocese

BOURBONNAIS, IL — Everyone has three types of powerful stories inside—the story of who you are right now, the story you tell and the stories you preserve. Author Hanoch McCarty urged caregivers Nov. 3 at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais to preserve their stories because they are important. The nationally acclaimed writer and motivational speaker credited a familiarity with his own family history for giving him the strength and courage to tackle various challenges in his life.

One of the best methods for acquiring knowledge of family history is through stories related by relatives and family friends. Typically, individual milestones, accomplishments and challenges are lost without some type of documentation such as pictures, diary entries and letters. They serve as a record of precious moments—the joy felt at the birth of a child, the grief-stricken days following a devastating death or the early signs of genius from the remarks of a 5 year old. He said, “These stories are million dollar moments and we should not allow them to be lost. We’re losing these moments that are irreplaceable.”

McCarty has been working on preserving priceless stories through the numerous books he has contributed to including: “A Fourth Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul,” “Acts of Kindness,” and “Chicken Soup for the Grandparent’s Soul.” The “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series has 57 titles and over 80 million copies in print in over 32 languages.

The happiest readers will always be people who know and love the author, McCarty noted. Through his own unique and humorous way, he encouraged the aging audience members to preserve their memories for their next generation of family members.

“Remember, caregivers have stories too. Everyday things happen that could become a story that you tell,” said McCarty. They have stories of frustrations and difficulties as well as stories of quiet moments of success, he pointed out.

McCarty spoke to over 60 caregivers who attended the one-time event funded through a grant to Catholic Charities from the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Debbi Baldauff, supervisor of senior services programs for Catholic Charities, explained the event was marking National Family Caregivers Month—November—an effort to thank, support, educate and celebrate more than 50 million family caregivers across the country.

After his presentation, McCarty classified caregivers into two categories: those who have accepted the role of caregiver for a loved one and those who have chosen it as a profession.

McCarty expressed admiration and appreciation for those who “step up to the plate,” to make daily sacrifices and commitments to care for a loved one. He summarized his feelings in a story about his father-in-law who endured great pain through the death of two children and challenges in caring for his wife who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. McCarty commented, “He never walked away. I think attention must to be paid to people like that. I think there’s something so special about those people who embody what love and giving are really about. I think that we, in our country, need to have those people as role models.”

McCarty also praised those who have chosen to be a caregiver through profession such as nurses and social workers. Since Catholic Charities coordinated the event, the staff members of the social service agency happened to be particularly on his mind. He said, “Catholic Charities, these are wonderful people. There isn’t one of them who couldn’t make a living doing something else. But they know that something needs to be done and I say to them, more power to you, honey.”

Two caregivers, Eleanor and Howard Ditrick of Kankakee, laughed and kept wide smiles throughout the entire presentation. They have served as chaplains for over 20 years at Provena St. Mary’s Hospital and Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Howard said, “I’ll be on duty at Riverside this afternoon and I’m sure there’s things I’ll be able to use from here.”

“Certainly humor,” chimed in Eleanor. She said the uncomfortable setting of medical buildings and the gravity of health situations could both be improved by a humorous story.

She also noted that getting people to talk and share their stories could promote a desire to heal and cope with situations of great difficulty. A visitor’s interest in the patient’s stories of triumph and tragedy could encourage a person to gather strength to share one more story and live one more day. Eleanor said, “It shows their lives have value.”