While November is most notable for recognizing all that we are thankful for and gathering for a huge meal with family & friends, it is also a time to honor and celebrate caregivers!
Did you know that November is National Family Caregivers month?
I sure didn’t!
Sadly, just like most of our tireless efforts supporting & advocating for our loved ones each day, this National ‘acknowledgement’ often goes unrecognized.
All too often we family caregivers are living in isolation and rarely get a break.
Please listen with both your eyes and ears when we respond to your questions about our well-being. We are conditioned to be tough and not appear overwhelmed or needy, so despite what we say, we aren’t always “okay” or “fine.”
Please don’t tell us how strong we are in the midst of a breakdown or that you could never do what we do.
Instead, a warm, silent hug would speak volumes and mean the world.
We don’t want to be admired but would appreciate our feelings being validated.
Perhaps rather than observing us from a distance in disbelief you could offer a helping hand.
Being a caregiver takes a significant toll on our mental, emotional, and physical health – particularly those of us with little to no outside help.
If our tone is short or we seem in a rush, we ask that you extend us grace (and several prayers) because it’s likely we are struggling in ways you may not be able to understand or relate to.
So, for each and every caregiver doing the hard, often underappreciated work day and night…
I SEE you!
I APPLAUD you!
I UNDERSTAND you!
I AM you!
