As a child growing up, the last thing you ever would think of is taking care of your parents. You counted on them for everything to sustained your life. As you slowly became an adult, you relied on yourself to sustain your life but for some of us, we became the parent to our parents. Your role as a child/parent were switched. You are now the parent of your parent and they now depend on you.

Seems oddly strange to think about this concept, but it happens. This concept of being your parents-parent just slowly creeps up on you and then one day all of sudden you realize, your parents lives are being sustained by you. You have become a caregiver. Some of us have embraced and taken on the challenging role of a caregiver. Others my want too, but may not have the patience or able to give of the required time to do so. Let’s just face it. Some of us are not and should not be caregivers especially when it comes to Mom and Dad.  For me and my wife, care giving started with my Father until it got to the point where he needed 24 hour medical attention and a licensed care facility had to be used after which, in just a short time, my Mother then needed and still needs the care. Being a caretaker of a loved one is not for everyone. It takes a very special selfless person to do it with many, many hours spent away from your own family and with much sacrifice. Without my wonderful wife, I could not, nor would I ever attempt to be a caretaker. My niece, a few years back took on care giving for her Dad and had to figure out how to juggle time with her own family and quickly faced many of the same challenges my wife and I faced or is facing. I applaud my niece Tonya and want to encourage her to keep going. I can’t explain it, but it is a special love that keeps us caregivers going, even when everyone else would or tells us to quit. The caregiver role is a very tough one and most of the time not very much appreciated or it is just taken for granted. Being a parent to your parent(s) is a very hard and more often than not a thankless task in which no one really understands unless they have been through it themselves. If you are a follower of God, look to him for strength. He is the best caregiver ever. God will pour out his blessings upon you and He will give you all you need to keep moving forward. Please, not forget to ask Him, He is there and always has been. God knows your struggles with care giving, knows your frustrations, knows your strengths and weaknesses and most importantly, knows your heart. God choose and called YOU to be the caregiver, just like He calls some to be missionaries, pastors, evangelists, etc. God will supply all your needs. Lean on Him and call upon His Name, God will answer you.

For all of you wonderful, soft-hearted caregivers out there, I want to give you a big dose of “Thankyou” because you are making a difference in their lives and God will bless you richly for it.