When I decided to write a blog on care takers my first idea was to share with my readers my life with C.H. Wendel. Chuck was my third husband. Just a short year after we married he had a serious stroke that resulted in his being wheelchair bound. We were together for nearly nine years and I will be sharing our experiences in later blogs.
When I took a deeper look at what it might mean to me and others to be caretakers, I began to recognize there are many times in our lives we play that role without recognizing how it shapes our lives.
As an older sister, I cared for my younger brother. I grew up watching my mother and father care for their parents. I became a mother myself and the joyful but heavy burden of caring for my children and stepchildren had to be a priority while a balanced career and began caring for my parents.
The responsibility of caring for family is one of the most important values we can teach our children. It is a way of life not restricted to human kind. Animals from whales to chimpanzees care for their young. In every culture and religion, humans care for each other.
We try our best to care for those we love and can be overwhelmed from time to time by the strength and sacrifice such care demands. We make mistakes. We lose our tempers. We still keep trying.
My most challenging caregiver role was to take care of my handicapped spouse. What I learned and what I was able to do sometimes astounds me. I could not have done it without family and friends who were quick to help.
I will end this blog with a reminder I frequently heard from family and medical professionals. “Take care of yourself.” Your physical and mental health are vital if you are caring for someone who needs you. As I grow older, I try remind my children of this. I tell them often how much I appreciate their care and support. Having been “in their shoes”, I understand the challenges they face and never forget to be grateful for all they do.
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