Caregivers Are The Real Care Bears
In 1985, I was six years old, and one of my favorite cartoons to watch after school and on Saturdays was The Care Bears. I remember sitting in front of the television with a bowl of Fruit Loops, entertained by ten colorful bears who possessed a special power when they came together as a team. Collectively, their colors created a rainbow that symbolized harmony, love, and togetherness. They embodied what teamwork looked like. Their names were "Tenderheart Bear," "Cheer Bear," "Funshine Bear," Grumpy Bear," "Good Luck Bear," "Bedtime Bear," "Friend Bear," "Love-a Lot Bear," "Wish Bear," and "Birthday Bear."
Many of us who go through cancer may feel like we are alone and that no one understands how we feel and the worries we have. We are engulfed in our emotional and physical states, trying to navigate how we will manage home life, continue working, and attend our kids' school events while staying on top of things and having the energy to attend doctors' appointments and treatments. For some, we are fortunate to have family and friends who are committed to taking the load off of us so that we can focus on healing. We may take for granted the husband who takes off work to make sure that his wife attends each chemo and radiation appointment. Or the mother who comes over to cook and clean for her daughter when she's too tired or too weak after surgery. As the old saying goes, "it takes a village." The question is, how do you step back and allow your village to take care of you and manage the things that you are accustomed to doing? How are you to completely trust that your family and friends can handle your embedded tasks and execute them as you would?
Grab your tea and let's hear your response.... đź«–