Bounty of Blessings

              I wrapped up my work week and headed to the Grove in Los Angeles for a little shopping, people watching, and dinner. Life is good. My life is filled with a bounty of blessings and I appreciate all of it. I often wonder if I would have the same appreciation for the life I created for myself if I didn’t have the Caregiver experience. I know it’s a bit yin yang, but I think the output of the dark Caregiver days is that I never want life to be that hard again, and now that life is easy, and it is easy in comparison, I relish every delicious moment.

                I don’t want to make it sound like being a Caregiver is all bad – it isn’t. It is difficult, that’s a fact. I am a capable girl, high energy, and generally positive. Caregiving kicked my a**. I know I am not alone in that perspective of the experience. It's universal.

                The only positive things I can say about that time in my life is that I had my Gramps. I saw the best in people, and also saw the worst. I met some amazing human beings, his aides, that helped him (really “us” because they supported me too!). I tested my own metal and learned what I was made of. I took a look at the people around me and learned a lot about them and myself. Some lessons were good. Some lessons were downright painful. Regardless, I grew from the experience.

                Today, I take care of myself. Some may say my self-care now borders on the “indulgent.” I don’t care what others think or say (another positive by-product of being a Caregiver!). The message I want to send today is the same one I have been saying –take care of yourself. Don’t wait for your Caregiver journey to end to be your own Caregiver. Now. Not later. Would you treat your loved one/patient like you treat yourself? Would you neglect your loved one/patient? Of course not, so why would you do that to yourself?

                It’s cliché, but life is too short to put your own needs on the back burner, and not get out (or stay in) and enjoy yourself. You deserve it. You were given the precious gift of life and that life is meant to be enjoyed. Find a way. Find your center. Get quiet and find peace. Get your fill of fun. Soak it up! Now!