Hope for Caregivers

Feeling alone, overwhelmed, helpless, weary, abandoned, hopeless, angry, depressed, or confused? Take a slow deep breath and give yourself a hug. You are normal!

Most of us who love and care for someone else have huge hearts. And it seems the harder we try to fix things or understand them, the more frustrated we get! That is why many loved ones either burn out or just throw in the towel and walk away.

Learning about — and accepting my limitations (and failures) — has been an ongoing process. Let me share a few things that have been helpful to me on my own journey. I hope you find them helpful as well.

• I cannot always help the one I love.
• I cannot make others understand.
• I cannot help everyone.
• I cannot fix the world, or any person.
• I cannot stop pain and injustice.
• I cannot maintain a perfect relationship or an ideal home.
• I cannot always have a great day.

But. . .

• I can love someone who needs me.
  • I can connect with others who understand.
  • I can offer encouragement to others.
  • I can listen to someone in need.
  • I can help spread awareness.
  • I can keep on learning and growing.
  • I can ask the Lord for strength and grace.
  • I can take care of me.

  It’s totally okay to have a meltdown, to cry, to pray, reachout to someone who is good for us, and to laugh at ourselveswhen we can. Tomorrow is always another day.

Let’s do what we tell our loved ones: “Just do the best you can. That is enough.”

 

Welby O’Brien

50plus Magazine

From “Hope for the Wobbly” by Welby O’Brien. See her live and her books at www.Welbyo.com