[B]over the years I've gotten to know some of the caregiver's & spouses. until yesterday I'd never considered the grief everyone goes through. then I read a poem.
over 20 yrs ago I worked with a wonderful man & met his wife. they were one of those couples you just have to envy,they had found the right mate & it showed.
several weeks ago I found out the wife has Alz. it broke my heart. he was caring for her @ home.
then yesterday I read a poem he wrote for the local paper. he had taken her to a care facility. the poem is too long to write here,however I'd like to share the end part:
Slowly,over the hours,Grief departs
leaving its thick shadow of sadness
for me to live with
and make something of.
And surprisingly I do!
Love seeps through,
reclaiming so clear,the wisdom I at first couldn't hear:
I'm still a caregiver to my beloved,
and am now free,
blessedly free,
to be a better one.
not sure how long he cared for her @ home. he's 85yr old.they have been married 60 yrs. she was going to a daycare for awhile.
this hit home with me since I knew him. so now I realize the grief as well as the despair in making the hard decision to place someone you love in a care facility.
this might not be understood by all,however I do hope it will provide some comfort for those of you suffering the same loss.
(((hugs for all the caregiver's past & present))) Pati