Thursday 4 April 2013

C is for Caregivers

C is for Caregivers.

When I was a child I wanted to do so many different things; fly planes, helicopters, fight fires, teach African kids to read, nurse starving children to health,  ... and who remembers what else. I think my underlying goal was to save the world! Don't we all?! Then real life started to take hold and my childhood dreams faded away. Now I think about what my life would have been like if I happened to pursue one of these dreams. These are the people I admire so much! They dedicate -and often risk- their daily lives to help and save others. They are our everyday heroes.
They are the most notable of our heroes, anyway. We often miss the ones who go unnoticed, hidden behind closed doors, the ones who are busily going about their daily lives, working, running a household, sacrificing and caring for others. Of course, parents spring to mind. They double-multi-task the kiddos, the job, the house, the gym, and more all day, leaving about a nano-second spare to look after themselves. Another everyday hero. But then what about the ones who have an extra priority to add to the list? Those who have an older dependent to look after are some of our society's forgotten heroes. We humans are not going to last forever, and as we age, we may once again need some support as we grow old gracefully. These caregivers often make many sacrifices in order to help their loved ones live their lives in comfort to the best of their ability.
Child-rearing is demanding, of course, but parents rejoice as they watch their child grow and develop, whereas looking after an elder as they progress into old age can be painful, which can make it all the more difficult to cope with on a daily basis. Yet a caregiver is patient and loving, and will do all they can to make the lives of their loved one as wonderful as possible. They too are everyday heroes.



5 comments:

  1. Being a caregiver can be difficult, but it is also a rewarding job. Caring for another allows you to pour out your most "human" qualities by showing someone you love them with your actions. Great post!

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  2. First C for Caregiver I've seen on the A to Z tour I'm taking. Thanks for reminding us of how important they are! The term I've heard for women taking care of kids and older parents at once is Sandwich Generation, doing Double Care.

    Greetings from Northern California!
    http://www.burbed.com/2013/04/04/day-deal-in-danville-dollar-deluge-for-doing-diddlysquat/

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  3. Very touching post. You are so right. I love watching my son grow as I care for him, but the thought of watching someone go the other way instead is so sad.

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  4. YAY for everyday heroes! Having fun in the challenge?

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  5. I wrote about Caretaking too, for Day C. I help my folks, ages 89 and 92, and it can be a lonely job. You are right, there are many professions where people quietly and steadfastly serve others. No substantial pay, no glory. Thank God for nurses, CNA, even teacher, who guard our young. God is the ultimate care taker, and He enables us to do the job. Popping in from the a-z. Nice to meet you!
    from The Dugout

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