As you may know, my father was admitted to the hospital this past Tuesday. Some of you may also know that I signed up to take a ballet class last night. Why on earth would I be excited to take a dance class while my father is lying in a hospital bed?
Because………..as a care giver, I must also take care of myself. As my father’s health is declining quickly, I have not been able to do much of that lately. I needed to find an escape from the worry, the daily care giving tasks and the reality that these may be the last few weeks of my father’s life.
What can you do in your own life that will offer you something to look forward to, something to take your mind off the worrying and your care giving duties. I challenge you to find something and to DO it.
I wanted to share with you the following video. (And thank you to a Twitter friend for sharing it with ME.) Although it was not my inspiration to return to ballet classes, it IS inspiring me to continue because I have to face the fact that some day in the future, I will not be a care giver any longer.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb_VkNOGWxI[/youtube]
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Facing a parents death is really one of the haredest things we are called on to do. However, as a caretaker you are absolutely right about having to take care of yourself. Being a caretaker is draining not always appreciated as much as it should be. Taking those ballet classes is a step in the right direction for you to try to focus on what you need to take care of you. As a caretaker, you are more helpful to those you are caring for if you are strong both physically and emotionally. That means thinking of yourself when you need to.