Taking Care of Business

This book was written for all those caregivers who struggle every day to meet the needs of a loved one, relative, or friend. My caregiving journey started at a very young age; my teachers were my parents. My mother was sickly most of her life and mine. I had this innate ability to offer a helping hand, not realizing this was the first step on my road to being a caregiver. I can honestly say I never felt any anger and/or resentment toward my mother or anyone else I helped and aided for a long period of time - only love and devotion. It was as if it was my job on this earth to help take care of people, be compassionate, dependable, and trustworthy. For over 50 years of my life I was a caregiver and a constant for my mother and a shoulder to lean on for my father, and their many friends and acquaintances who were in-need of some type of assistance.

The most rewarding parts of caregiving is giving back to someone who has cared for you and the satisfaction of knowing your loved one is getting excellent care. With every caregiving task for my mother, she would look at me and say, "I don't know what I would do without you." After suffering a stroke which brought on aphasia, this shortened to "You...me...thank you." I knew what she meant. To all the caregivers in the world, I commend you; I understand your frustrations and the emotional and physical strains. I understand the anger, anxiety, sadness, guilt, and lack of appreciation that resonates. I see you. Hang in there.