As a caregiver, I wanted to keep the promises I made to my mother–that I’d never “put her in one of those homes,” as she put it. But I learned that caring for a mother with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and being a mother to my own three daughters was more than anyone had bargained for.

Life–nor caregiving is as simple–or as noble as we first think it will be. It’s real families doing the best they can.

I think for me, I just wore guilt slap out. You can’t care give 24/7 and not begin to have some mercy for yourself and everyone involved.

Still, I’m grateful for the time we had. I learned a lot about myself, my mother and our relationship that I feel has made me appreciate life and family even more.

~Carol D. O”Dell
Author of Mothering Mother: A Daughter’s Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir

available on Amazon
http://www.mothering-mother.com