It’s Monday … I choose JOY.
I wanted to share something - Someone sent me a private message on here yesterday, and the message basically asked how I can remain so positive all the time when my Mom is dying.
I realize that there is a lot lost in translation, but - my posts on here are to offer a sliver of joy in the moments I cherish with my sweet Momma.
I have deep sadness, and have my private spaces where I let it go — some days (many) I think I’m losing my mind as a caretaker. In fact, I feel like I have lost myself on this journey. Respite is my salvation. I have a massage scheduled here in my home today — whoop!
We all have this mountain we are climbing, and some days feel like we are barely hanging on … I choose to focus on the good. I am not naive, I realize I am going to have to eventually say goodbye to my Mother (a Warrior) from this dreadful disease —- but, I refuse to let anticipatory grief smother the days, weeks, months that I do have left.
Because this post will be in my thread, and many beyond today will read it —- Hang in there!!
Mental Health is important for the caregiver, but also for those we care for —- talk to them as if the disease isn’t present, make them feel included, share your day without requiring a response, offer insight on what is happening in the world …. Love them as you always have, and don’t allow this disease to rob them of some
of the simple things that we as their caregiver can bring.
My posts may be appear to be all smiles and giggles, but it is intended to share the moments I cherish with my Mom that I will never want to forget.
Choosing joy for me tends to burn away the pain.
Being a caregiver is something that no one will ever really understand, unless they have been there. This space that has been created in this forum has become my ROCK for years now —- I appreciate every single one of you — I consider you friends.
My wife has PSP and there may not be a cure for PSP, but there is a drug that slows the progression
