Caregiving Story

Taking care of my Mom was the most rewarding experience of my life!

I learned so much from trial and error. She wasn't hard to take care of really. I think the hardest thing was seeing her personality change. She was always the giver and never the taker. That was the hardest thing for her to accept--for her to receive help from anyone, especially from me. She eventually learned to depend on me for everything, and it was my PLEASURE!

It taught me the how to deny myself of my wants and needs and put her before myself. From that I found the incredible feeling of giving without wanting or asking anything in return.

I have many elderly friends who I have met through my job as a pharmacy technician. My heart goes out to them because I see the loneliness that they have from not having family--or their family doesn't want to be bothered with them. That hurts my heart. I love to chat with them and listen to what their life was like. It's just so rewarding to help them, that I really can't put it into words. I feel sorry for their kids, because of what they are missing out on.

If I had to do it over again for my Mom, I wouldn't think twice about it. The bottom line is that I know the experience of caregiving has made me a stronger person in many ways. That is something that money can't even begin to buy! It's something that lasts forever in your heart.