The Life After Death
Slowly, we can return to our life after our caree's death.
My dad died on July 2. A fall on June 11 started his final decline; he closed his eyes on June 30 to begin his final transition. He joined my mom and brother in Heaven on July 2.
With his transition, my caregiving experience ends.
This past week feels like the first week of a normal routine. I could write my “Good Morning” messages again, which I last wrote on June 9. When my brother died in August of 2021, I couldn’t write Good Morning messages for six months, waking up on February 18, his birthday, with a desire and energy to start again. After my mom started her decline in July 2022 and died in August, I needed six weeks before I could write this newsletter again. This summer, I needed eight weeks until I could write the newsletter again.
With each death, I feel like I lose my words. With time, they find me again.
We wonder what the other side is like for our caree. We worry how we’ll manage our other side — life after caregiving ends. I like to envision what the other side is like for my parents and brother. My vision always starts with complete healing for them. They are well, happy and at peace.
I think that can be the vision for ourselves, too. With time, we can be well, happy and at peace.
Resources
Our Fourth Annual Beginning Again Retreat will take place on Saturday, October 21. Join us for support and comfort as you begin again after caregiving ends.
We took a Soul Break from Trying on Thursday.
I shared an overview of our training programs that help you transform a personal caregiving experience on Friday.
I appreciate you sharing your losses and their impact on your words. How tender and so important for us to talk about. I am caregiving my husband and I also work with caregivers to support them with creativity and meditation. Thank you for sharing your process.
Sending my condolences and prayers on the death of your father. You have had an emotional time these last few years and perhaps now you can take a breath and reflect on all you learned and how you were changed by the experiences. I know your family was grateful for your love and support. You were a blessing to them and all of us who have learned from you are also grateful for your sharing. Barbara