I have had some time recently to sit down and actually read my own post and I have come to a conclusion. If I were someone visiting a site like this, I might assume that the writer was very sad or even trying to be a martyr. Let me say that neither is the case. I am actually a very happy person.
I get out of the house and leave my troubles behind every chance I get. I laugh because I see the funny things in life and I enjoy the time I have with friends and family. I see my mother’s dementia as a part of her life and do the best to take care of her, however, I can’t let this illness be all there is and I won’t let it take away any happiness for myself my, family or my mother.
Being a caregiver is time consuming. Its stressful, and sad, and tiring and sometimes overwhelming. So If I let myself, I can get very angry or depressed. Truth is; in the beginning that was all I was. Very mad and very sad. However I have come to a realization through all of this. that this is a part of my life but it is not my whole life.
I will continue to write what my mother is going through and how my family and I are dealing with it, but I will try to throw in some of how I get away from it too. Because yes, being a caregiver is a job that you have to love, but getting away from it when you can is also a way to love yourself. You don’t have to be a martyr to be a caregiver; you just have to be a human being with a heart. and you have to be able to share that love.
