A caregiver’s plea for help in dealing with his task reminded me of conclusions that have come to me in more than five years of caregiving.

A reader asked for advice, and that’s not what this blog is about. But maybe some stories from my experience will help him.

I thought the pressure of making difficult decisions would end with Evelyn living in residential care. Saturday morning I realized that end won’t likely be anytime soon.

The list helps me keep from living my life haphazardly. I don’t accomplish every goal every day, but these are a good checklist for every week.

I’m living alone, and I’ve decided to cope with that by not always staying alone. So I invited three couples for dinner. Like everything else in my life now, it felt odd, a strange mix of the familiar with the all-new.

This year I signed Easter cards with my name alone. I’m finally ready to admit that our reality has changed.

I can honestly report, “We are doing fine.” This is true for several reasons.

Yesterday I moved Evelyn into a residential memory care facility. I’m hoping I remain convinced that was the right decision.

“Every time you say ‘yes’ to one thing, you must say ‘no’ to something else.”

Sometimes I wonder what I’d be thinking and feeling and doing if our lives hadn’t been invaded by illness.

As the list of difficult or unseemly duties lengthens, my sadness is almost dulled. I feel myself getting weary.

What is really changing in the deterioration happening before our eyes? And what will never change? A thoughtful question led me to ponder issues beyond what I’m seeing today.

Asking for help is humbling. But at two different times last week, I had absolutely no other choice.

A friend has helped me think afresh about anger. I’m going to claim it, use it, unleash it against the mess we’re in.

I’ve written about the privilege and the burden of caregiving. Now I’m thinking about how to experience the former more than the latter.

I’ve been wrestling with whether or when and where Evelyn should move to a care community. Will God give me the answers through the advice of my friends?

We have a wonderful support network, and I realize most of it stems from one source: the church. Despite the church’s many flaws, I thank God for the church!

Tuesday was a LONG day! Things are looking better on Wednesday.

Even this small compromise of my energy reminds me that my good health is vital for our household to function these days.

Different to be sure, but Christmas this year didn’t go unmarked or uncelebrated. We’ll always remember how we “kept Christmas” at the end of 2023.