Bowman man seeks to encourage caregivers with book

The Bowman resident has written “Loving Hands: A 40-Day Devotional for Caregivers.” It is published by the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate Press, a book-publishing arm of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate newspaper.

Void had served as a caregiver for his late father who passed away from cancer and is now serving as a caregiver for his mother. He has personally faced the challenges the experience can bring not only for himself, but for other family members who served as caregivers.

He said he hopes his book can let readers know that while caregiving can be “another form of ministry” in their life, it’s alright to take care of themselves in the process.

“This book is a follow up of a second book I did about grief because my father passed away from cancer in May of 2022. He had tongue cancer. Me and my mom were caregivers for him, and while my mom was taking care of my dad, she got sick because she wasn’t going to the doctor like she should,” Void said.

“Also, I had an aunt from New York that had to go in the nursing home. Her two children got sick because they weren’t taking care of themselves as much as they should, trying to take care of her,” he said.

Void said he then felt writing a book on how to help caregivers with their own stress was needed.

“I felt like it was important for me to write this book to encourage caregivers to take time for themselves and remember that you have to be patient with yourself and with the person you’re taking care of,” he said.

The author said he wants caregivers to know that God has not forgotten about them.

“It’s not a punishment. It’s another form of ministry for their life. For the last 10 days in the book, I also put some devotions in there to illustrate that if they do lose their loved ones, that they don’t lose their identity,” Void said.

He continued, “It talks about how to make preparation and talk to their loved ones about dealing with that their (end-of-life) wishes are so you don’t have to worry about running around that week trying to make all these plans. You already have everything planned out.”

Void said he also noticed the high prevalence of dementia in Orangeburg County, making it even more important to offer encouragement to individuals who may be taking care of a parent, spouse or child with the illness.

He said he chose to write a devotional because his faith is important to him. Void is a member of New Covenant UMC in Bowman, where he is a part of the lay service ministry.

“I also think a devotional is an easier way to relate to people instead of trying to make it technical, or too much of a boring read. I usually write poetry. My first two books were poetry, but I decided to do it this way to be more personal and so that individuals can see how they can apply my story to their life and help them along their way,” Void said.

“I just want them to get encouraged to let them know that God has not forgotten about them. It’s OK to take a break and take time for yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of somebody else?” Void said.

He continued, “I also want them to know that this is another form of ministry in their life and that it will make their life better. It’s not going to be a burden. Just be patient with themselves and be patient with their loved one.”

His book can be found at https://advocatesc.org/store and at several online booksellers.