We had dinner with some friends this week. Hadn’t seen them
in a while and it was fun catching up. One question came up “Why don’t you
write your care-giver blog any more?” I didn’t have a good answer and probably
still don’t. But I have given it some thought over the last couple days.
Being a care-giver in my type of role has become part of
life. It is background, part of every decision and in many ways part of the
daily routine. And there is another big reason, Annie continues to improve,
take on more of her own decisions and routines along with a very powerful
motivator on her part to break the care-giver/care-givee (sorry Mom I know that
is not really a word) relationship we have. She really wants to give me my time
back. She’s doing a pretty good job of it.
For me it is also a little of “I’ve had enough”. I’ve been
in this role going on seven years. Many times you’ve heard that it isn’t a role
anyone would relish or wish. People who are true care-givers are rare. When you
come across on it is nice to see. Unselfish is a word I’d like to be able to
describe something about myself but alas that is not to be. In truth it is my
selfish side that breaths a sigh of relief as Annie gets more self sufficient.
So what is this all about? Another friend came by last night
and in her inimitable style asked directly about “plateauing”. Not the term she
used but wondering (in a very nice way) if this was all we would get in terms
of Annie’s recovery. The answer of course is no. Annie will continue to
improve. Why? Her determination seems to have no bounds. She has positive mental
attitude almost every day. She tries every day. She wants to learn every day.
Whether it is biking out doors, learning Spanish, reading voraciously or
working on a project, she attacks it and tries to master it. Sure there are
setbacks, this was a terrible injury. But mostly we continue to move forward.
Annie trying to dominate her injury and me trying to get over it. It’s a funny
world.
