Courage for Caregivers

"This book resonates with the lived experience of those of us who have spent a season giving or receiving care. It provides not only sustenance for the journey but also a seasoned spirituality that incorporates both the gifts and the guilt of the ministry of care. Rich in stories and practical suggestions, it is highly recommended for those who are blessed, challenged, and called to be a Simon of Cyrene for another."

-Albert Haase, OFM, author of Becoming an Ordinary Mystic: Spirituality for the Rest of Us

"Caregivers are my heroes, the undervalued souls who selflessly dispense grace and compassion. And Henri Nouwen is the patron saint of caregivers, for he voluntarily left a prestigious career to care for one severely disabled individual—and to his surprise found himself the chief beneficiary of this mutual exchange. The wisdom he learned in the process informs us all, caregivers and care receivers alike."

-Philip Yancey, author of Where the Light Fell and Fearfully and Wonderfully

"Marjorie Thompson's authoring of Courage for Caregivers is a unique and rich contribution to the vocation of caregiving, which Marjorie knew both as freely chosen and as accepted in loving duty."

-Sue Mosteller, literary executrix and trustee for Henri Nouwen Legacy

"What a precious resource Courage for Caregivers will be for those who give care and compassion. As a family therapist for over forty years, I have had many occasions to share the works of Henri Nouwen with clients to see their hearts and minds lifted with hope and strength at times of great pain and distress and at times of deep joy and fulfillment in the journey of loving another. The guided process for a caregivers retreat is a brilliant and extremely helpful appendix to this beautifully written and illustrated guide for those called to being with and walking alongside others."

-Diane Marshall, registered psychotherapist at the Institute of Family Living, Toronto

"As someone who supports caregivers—those caring for loved ones and those involved in caring professions—I am excited for the opportunity to use this wonderful resource. Courage for Caregivers explores so many of the themes and questions people experience in a caring role. Henri Nouwen's words are treasured gifts that continue to inspire and strengthen, and the stories and reflective format will be invaluable to anyone looking for support in their caregiving roles."

-Michelle O'Rourke, palliative care nurse and author of Befriending Death: Henri Nouwen and a Spirituality of Dying

"The relationship journeys of caregivers and care receivers are ones we may not or cannot anticipate or plan. We find ourselves in the land of vulnerability and weakness with a need to reorient. One pathway through the unfamiliar is the shared experiences and wisdom of others. Courage for Caregivers does just that. This resource opens up a space for exploration, acceptance, and understanding to find those places of hope, rest, and rediscovery. Through the lens of Henri Nouwen's wisdom, Marjorie J. Thompson shares her own personal journey and draws on the stories of others to reveal both the challenges and unexpected blessings of hope."

-Neil Cundey, director of organizational and spiritual life at Christian Horizons