Recently for a few years I cared for my mom because I saw the dignity she’d shown whilst caring for my dad who had early Alzheimer’s. Moreover naturally, because she cared for me. She’d chosen not to fight breast cancer and it really beat her up. Now I have a baby and some of the caring needed is strikingly similar only at the opposite end of the spectrum. And now, people smile at us out of joy rather than a thankful type of compassion, when I’d be out with my mom. Both putting all their life’s effort into trying to walk. Both smiles appreciated equally.
Hello Bonnie! I am sorry to hear about your Mom’s cancer diagnosis after caring for your Dad. Your Mom being a caregiver, I wonder if it was hard for her to accept being cared for (role reversal)? Thank you for sharing. I love how you made the connection between caregiving at the bookends of life. I also love that you acknowledged the different smiles, one of joy and hope, the other as you state, a “thankful type of compassion”. I suspect the smilers are seeing pieces of their own journey in what they are observing in yours. I am wishing you many joyful smiles.
-Maggie
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Hello Lucy,
Thank you for your response. It sounds like you are truly deep in the trenches of caregiving. Your parents are extra lucky to have you to care for them given your background as an RN. I am curious what you find most challenging in each role and what brings you the most joy. What do you do for self-care?
I am an RN by profession but am a full time caregiver to my parents over the last 20 years to present
Recently for a few years I cared for my mom because I saw the dignity she’d shown whilst caring for my dad who had early Alzheimer’s. Moreover naturally, because she cared for me. She’d chosen not to fight breast cancer and it really beat her up. Now I have a baby and some of the caring needed is strikingly similar only at the opposite end of the spectrum. And now, people smile at us out of joy rather than a thankful type of compassion, when I’d be out with my mom. Both putting all their life’s effort into trying to walk. Both smiles appreciated equally.
Hello Bonnie! I am sorry to hear about your Mom’s cancer diagnosis after caring for your Dad. Your Mom being a caregiver, I wonder if it was hard for her to accept being cared for (role reversal)? Thank you for sharing. I love how you made the connection between caregiving at the bookends of life. I also love that you acknowledged the different smiles, one of joy and hope, the other as you state, a “thankful type of compassion”. I suspect the smilers are seeing pieces of their own journey in what they are observing in yours. I am wishing you many joyful smiles.
-Maggie
Hello Lucy,
Thank you for your response. It sounds like you are truly deep in the trenches of caregiving. Your parents are extra lucky to have you to care for them given your background as an RN. I am curious what you find most challenging in each role and what brings you the most joy. What do you do for self-care?
-Maggie