Caregiving

This month is special to me for many reasons – but mostly because it is the month in which both my Mom and my Dad passed away. This year is a really big one – it’s the 15-year anniversary of my Mom’s passing. She would be 91 if she had lived. Daddy (who passed away…

I recently read an article about how things that happen in our first 20 years can have an enduring impact on who we are. Reading this made me think back on our family’s story, and how that might have shaped my beliefs, values, and behavior. Another recent trigger was my cousin’s visit to the place…

About this time 14 years ago, I was planning on driving my mom into the mountains to view the turning leaves in the foothills of the Carolinas – a truly beautiful sight. It was less than one month before my mom died, and we both knew it would be her last autumn leaf viewing. As…

The women in my family have what I would call a “don’t stop ‘til you drop” mentality – there is very little that can stop us. But let’s face it. That’s a really dangerous way to operate. It’s a struggle for me to fit self-care in, and to tell the truth, I have to really…

My Dad – if he were still with us – would’ve been 91 this Father’s Day. But that was not to be. Instead, we lost him at the early age of 58. Daddy, like my mom, was a catalyzing force in my life. My memories of him continue to comfort me and to propel me…

My Mum – if she were still with us – would’ve been 89 this Mother’s Day. But that was not to be. Instead, we lost her at the early age of 76. She was a catalyzing force in my life, and my memories of her continue to propel me. Every Mother’s Day since I started…

Thinking about self-care this month, I’m reminded of how it takes quite a bit of effort to stay on track! I’ve been feeling neglectful on this front, and the prolonged pandemic has definitely taken its toll. I’m not as physically strong as before, and I think my flexibility is more limited as well. I certainly…

Today, I should’ve been eating lobster in Maine. In fact, I’d probably be devouring my second one, since my sisters and I had big plans to consume a minimum of “three each” during our week-long, end-of-summer New England dream vacation. But alas. It was not to be. The lobster population is safe. Late last week,…

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t talk much about my dad in my blogs. That’s only because I write mainly about caregiving, and I didn’t have the honor of caring for Daddy because as he died at age 58. It remains one of the biggest shocks of my life, and it left me reeling for…

This year marks the 13th Mother’s Day since my Mom passed away, and to tell you the truth, it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier. However, I’m finding that my appreciation for all Mom did for me and my sisters – and for herself – grows greater with each passing year. What a great…