Losses

"Following your feelings will lead you to their source." Gary Zukav.

There are so many losses associated with being a dementia caregiver. If the person for whom we care is our spouse, there is the loss of the marriage partnership. If the person is our parent, there is the loss of the parent/child relationship. We lose who the person was. There are other losses as well. Loss of social interaction as some people, out of their own discomfort, exclude us from gatherings. We have had a recent loss; the house where we go to have respite from the snow levels in the high country will not be available next year. There is the loss of the community we created in that setting, and a loss of knowing what we would do for next winter. There is the loss of freedom and mobility, as we both adjust to his declining abilities. It is important for us to recognize and grieve the many, many losses we have.