Caregiving,
You just do, and do, and do, trying
To ignore the toll it is taking
On your body and spirit.
It's not till the one you
Unconditionally loved is gone
That you can stand back and
Survey the damage,
The growth.
You relearn life.
You try to figure out again what
Normal is.
You see the burden borne has
Birthed fortitude and
Compassion deep inside your
Soul which rises to the surface
Now that the weight which held it
Down is gone.
You take baby steps again to see
Where you fit in,
To see what God has fit you for.
You explore.
You discover words.
You discover prayer.
You discover caring in ways
You never knew before.
And as you look back on those
Intense demanding days when
You struggled just to stay alive,
You see the purpose it in all.
You look ahead knowing you're
More than a survivor.
You're rejuvenated,
Restored,
And you press on
Determined with God's help to
Finish strong.