Has anyone here had their ideas of the meaning of life and/or faith in humanity challenged since becoming a caregiver? From siblings who refuse to co-participate in the caring of an aging parent, to personal friends who no longer come around the caregiver, to brothers/sisters/aunts/uncles/etc who have voiced their love of elder for ages but then do not show their face for years upon years while the elder slowly deteriorates and dies?
It is very sad (and disturbing) to be told your whole life that family and friends are what matter at the end of life's journey only to discover that so many of these people abandon you at the end.
It's as if family/friends can only be family/friends when it's easy but then they bail on you when life gets real.
Fair weather family and friends it seems.
Random thoughts. Would appreciate any experience or insight. Do we just tell ourselves that family and friends are important because it makes us feel better but in the end you really can't count on anyone but yourself (and maybe a compassionate caregiver if you are lucky)?
I've seen my late mother's brother not want to visit my mother in the nursing home because he would find that depression, but instead sent his wife to visit. I also saw my aunt who visited my mother when she broke her hip not come to visit, but she did show up for the funeral.
Over the years, I've seen the human condition at its best and at its worst. I've come to the conclusion that we come into this world alone, to some degree live alone and we die alone. Best of all, God is with us for everyone else will let us down at some point at some time. I have little faith in people, but much faith in God and what God's grace can do in people's lives. I guess this makes me a pessimistic realest about people, but an optimist about God's saving work in the lives of those who say yes to him.
im the only mf in the whole dam world who could make linda lovelace gag. lolol...
Becoming a caregiver has had profound effects of how I now view the world around me. It has made me think about the bigger picture and what is truly real and honest in this life.
Does anyone have thoughts on if we as a people have become more self-absorbed and less considerate of elders as generations have passed? Or are we simply in this day and age more aware of reality and apt to vocalize our challenges with the situation around us?