Letters From Madelyn: Chronicles of a Caregiver

By Elaine K. Sanchez

Madelyn Kubin was a 70-year-old Kansas farm wife. She appeared to be fragile because of her thinning white hair, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, congestive heart failure, and severe hearing loss. But when her husband Quentin suffered a debilitating stroke, she was forced to summon all of her physical, emotional, and spiritual strengths in order to care for him at home. Madelyn managed her isolation, loneliness, and stress by going to her computer, disengaging her emotional monitor, and writing letters to her daughter Elaine. Madelyn’s story of faith, courage, and love is told through her unflinchingly honest and surprisingly funny letters written in real time over the course of six-and-a-half years. Although she prayed every day that she would be a willing channel for God’s love and compassion, there were plenty of days she felt like telling God to go find himself another servant. Madelyn wrote unabashedly about her anger, guilt, depression, and grief. When Quentin displayed dementia-related inappropriate sexual behavior, Madelyn eventually learned how to handle it with grace and humor. She was an example of how it is possible, even in the very worst end-of-life situations, to experience mental and spiritual growth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WriteLife Publishing
• Release date: May 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781608081677

Reviews for Letters From Madelyn

[linda.marsheells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At the ripe old age of just about 60, i can only say that when i grow up i hope to have at least half the spunk and gumption of Madelyn Kubin. This is a book of letters that she writes to family, one daughter in particular, following the course of debilitation of her husband Quentin.Not that she is a picture of health herself mind you, in fact far from it. But she perseveres, does more on her own then most of us would before she admits she needs help. Aging is not for the meek, you grab hold with both hands and make the most of what you have....and have not. She sure did. Of course there are times when she is sad, depressed, down but her sense of humor NEVER fails her."....at the time of the women's liberation movement was just getting started, i read articles about men becoming impotent because they were having to dry dishes. As i was scooping cow shit out of the barn, and sometimes spitting it out of my mouth, I really did not feel very sympathetic towards them. OH YOU POOR BASTARDS.....my heart just aches for you!She IS my idol.