We are so excited to announce that this month's outstanding CAREGiver is Merlin.
Merlin’s journey as a CAREGiver started in 2015 with Home Instead in Lancaster, CA and then transferred to San Marcos/Vista area in 2016. He was drawn to caregiving when his father became sick with COPD and chronic pain from a hip that needed to be replaced. At that time, Merlin lived in Colorado and his dad lived in Nebraska; the distance made it very hard for Merlin to assist his dad in the ways he wanted. When his dad passed, Merlin decided he would become a caregiver to help people like him – people who desperately wanted to give their loved one support and care, but distance and circumstances made it impossible.
When you ask Merlin what he loves most about working with his clients, he is quick to answer with, “the people you meet add rich diversity to your life.” And what he enjoys most about working with Home Instead is get togethers feel like family reunions, “It's like a family reunion getting together with your cousins and siblings.” Although 2020 has limited those fun family gatherings, the spirit is still there.
Taking care of living things runs deep in Merlin. Before caring for people, he started with farm animals. He ran a hobby farm with chickens, goats, a donkey, some rabbits, doves, and other assorted animals. He lived on a half-acre and their farm produced a lot of the food they ate, including the eggs from the chickens, vegetables from the garden, and fruit. They even had a beehive! Thinking back, he shared, “I loved making my own soap from the goat's milk and cheese from the goat's milk as well. I do miss my chickens and fresh eggs.”
You never know where live may lead you, and we are so thankful that Merlin’s journey has brought him to Home Instead. I think the next place we might find him is one of his bucket list destinations: exploring Muir Woods national forest seeking out ancient trees. How fun!
