Caregiving Story

My story is really my mom's story of receiving care and needing to be treated with respect. I had come home for a visit to give my dad a break in caring for mom, after she had fallen recently, due to balance issues and weakened muscle tone. One morning, after I had helped her shower and dress, I was brushing her hair (her arm was in a splint), when she gave a big sigh, and said "It's pretty bad when I can't even brush my own hair; my daughter has to do all these things for me." I put down the brush and hugged her and I spoke from the heart. "Mom, I'm sorry. I know this is hard for you. But you took care of me for all those parenting years and it's my turn to give back to you. I love you, and I truly don't mind helping you; I owe you that and more. This is my way of saying 'thank you'. Mom smiled, and said, "I love you, too". And, while I know for that moment, I took some of the sting out of needing to be cared for so intimately; I also know that deep down, she continued to die a little at every task that she could no longer do herself. And continued to do so until one day when she finally slipped away. And I miss her still.