Hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast Monday morning moments with John O'Leary.

Today, an important reminder that today's struggles are temporary.

Amidst continuous tragedies globally and complexities of life individually, we often need a

reminder that there is reason for hope. Several years ago, I needed that reminder as well.

And perhaps surprisingly, I received it from someone who needed it even more desperately than I did.

Let me explain.

Four years ago, my tenacious dad required a total shoulder replacement as a result of repeated falls. At any age, it's a difficult surgery

to endure. But after more than three decades with Parkinson's disease, recovering proved

especially difficult. After a few days in the hospital, we brought Dad home. And even with two people

assisting with his transfers, his feedings and

supported him through his day, the intensity of care proved overwhelming. Not only was Dad

not improving, he simply was no longer safe to be at home. So we made the difficult decision

to temporarily move Dad out of his home to recover at a skilled nursing facility.

He would receive daily in-person therapy and a trained caregiver to support him throughout his day.

Although it was the right thing to do, it was also incredibly hard to share with dad that he needed to leave his home

for at least a month. On the day, we were at my parents' house preparing dad to head to the

skilled nursing facility. A gentleman from a pest control company came down the steps and shared

with mom that a family of raccoons had taken

up residence in her attic. And then he went on to share that these raccoons, incidentally,

were generous enough to share their adopted new home, the attic, with a family of squirrels.

Isn't that sweet? As we discussed a plan with the pest control guy, one of the grandchildren came running up

for the basement and asked why there was a, in quote, smelly pool down in the basement.

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