Baby Steps

It was a much different experience than I expected during my period of “Learning to Live Again” after being a caretaker for so long. I titled this article “baby steps,” because sometimes it feels like that is what we are taking to get ourselves back to normal. There are many small, new adjustments we must […]
Can You Really Be Guilt Free?

Out of the articles I have written and continue to write, the biggest request I get is to share about the guilt that is involved in being a caretaker. There isn’t a caretaker I have met who doesn’t tell me how they feel some sort of guilt. When thinking back I always considered it a […]
Feeling Scared

In my last couple of articles, I have tried to touch on some of the emotional effects of caretaking. I don’t know what your situation is right now. Maybe you are taking care of an elderly parent, a sick child, or a terminally ill spouse. Plainly and simply, there is usually fear that comes with […]
Finding Your Joy

Being a caretaker is an emotional roller coaster for sure. Personally, I felt the emotional fatigue was much more draining than the physical. At the end of some days I could not even put a thought together. My mind was flooded with the well-being of my loved one, our future, and the kids. While this […]
Getting Organized at Home

I will admit I have a little “June Cleaver” in me! We had lived in our home for close to twelve years, and for most of that time, you would have found my house spotless with everything in its rightful place. It seemed so important to me at the time, but that quickly changed. Don’t […]
Getting Through

In several articles of my articles, I’ve talked about many things that can hopefully help you if you are taking care of a terminally ill loved one. As I reached the end of chronicling this part of the journey as a caregiver I thought about many things that I know you are facing daily. For […]
Giving Encouragement

As I’ve journeyed through life, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that you never truly know what someone else is going through. The world around us is filled with challenges, and it’s easy to see how tough times have become for so many. Yet, in the midst of these struggles, there lies […]
Caregivers and Palliative Care

Believe it or not, we did run into some unexpected blessings along the way, one of which was “palliative care.” At first, however, we had no idea what palliative care was. We heard about it from our oncologist, and I am so grateful that we did. This care came at a time for us when […]
Prioritizing Your New Life

Living life as a widow is more than just carrying an extra set of responsibilities; it is a journey through profound emotional and physical challenges that shape every moment. The absence of a partner to share decisions, provide comfort, and lighten the load magnifies the difficulty of day-to-day tasks. Facing these moments alone can feel […]
Quality vs. Quantity

Take a moment to consider how you would spend your time if you were given just one more year here on this earth. I remember before my husband became ill that, as a family, we always seemed to be going and doing while never really slowing down. We had a lot of good times and […]