Being a caregiver is a very special job. You do not select it. It selects you. In our case, it was our wonderful, caring, considerate, talented mother. When we were young she took us and molded us to the way she wanted us to be. She did the best she could with what she had. A great husband, loving close knit family. Mom was every ones hero. Then why did she have to suffer with the cruelest most devastating disease ever. Alzheimer's. She didn't deserve this. No one who loved her did. First I was angry and very impatient. "What do you mean where did I get this recipe from???" Grrrrr... Until one day sitting with her in her former surroundings, this very fine elegant epitome of a lady, was enjoying the happy meal I had picked up for her at McDonald's. There we sat at her dining room table, (I did set the table with china and silver the way she always would) she was looking around admiring this beautiful home. I was wondering what I could do to pass the time. I know, I will take out the 50th wedding anniversary book we put together for them.. It was the BEST thing we ever did. All of her friends wrote about the good times they had when they were younger. I always loved reading all the funny and inspiring letters and poems that were sent. She had a very talented clever group of friends. As I was reading, I too was remembering the good times we shared. I started getting teary eyed and didn't want mom to see that. She hated when we were sad. When I looked up at her she too was crying. We both looked at each other and started to laugh. It was a true epiphany for me. It was like a brick hit me in the head. How dare I waste one single second feeling annoyed or put out because I had to take time out of my busy "life" to stay with my mother. You know what I realized that day? My mom WAS my life and I was CHOSEN for this special job. I went every day thereafter and savored the moments I was given with her. She knew I was there because I wanted to be with her. Yes, sometimes I would slip back to being busy with other things but she became my main priority. If one single person can have the epiphany that I had, this would have all been worth it. Love your parents and never ever take for granted that you will have another day with them. I never had any regrets about not telling my parents how much I love them and not seeing them enough Only now do I wish I had one more day to tell them again.....
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