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The Irony of Caring

Many moons ago I watched a Kitesurfer out on the Mediterranean coast in Hyères, South of France. He was quite agile and seemed to be at one with the Wind. I cannot remember how long I stared, but soon enough he coasted back to the Beach and took off his helmet. I was shocked! He was probably 78, or 80 years old, he barely walked across the Beach and to confirm what I was seeing someone else probably his partner walked towards him handing him a Towel, just as elderly! This is not uncommon for France to see retirees running the Promenade Plantée trail in Paris, to Cycling on slippery winding roads all across the Countryside. Something that also appears common is that there wasn't an air of worry about these folks. Of course, you can't tell the backstory but one can definitely see the signs of anxiety and stress even in a hello, especially if it is constant (lifestyle of anxiety and stress). I didn't see that. I also didn't see that in my friends and acquaintances who were going through the struggles of life but not an unknown path of caring actively. They had Gym memberships that they used sometimes, diet plans, holiday weekends, Career goals, Creative goals, Healthy smoothies, they take their Vitamins, Shower (I didn't see that part) but know it happens regularly. The truth is they are more ready than me to be here for a very long time (all things being equal) and I am not, and I have a very important job to do. And like any job I set my mind to I aim to do it well, God help me excellently. In my job as an Unpaid Parent Carer, the stakes have never been higher a LIFE depends on me showing up, advocating, learning, slowing down, comforting, and growing OLD. However, I have never felt physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually less able. It means that my good plans and forethinking will fail especially if I am not here. The irony of caring is that it is such a giving act, that the Well must run deep so that you can fill up as much as you can to give some more. Sadly not many make it. I am aware of that. But it is a new year, and I believe a new hope. One thing my Daughter has taught me is "small moves", and "micro steps".  I cannot say what the ending will look like but today I want to see if I can worry less about the future even though it doesn't change much, and maybe take my Vitamins. Showers are important so I want to do that too, and a Walk ... Wait Hold on! Small moves. I think I would just worry less and see how it goes, after all, worrying hasn't helped so far, what's the point! Every day has troubles of its own, and that is true for all of us.


In case you were wondering

Do not worry https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A25-34&version=NIV

A very peaceful (in the off-season) stretch of Beach Plage de l'Almanarre I had the privilege to travel and spend two separate Septembers here https://maps.app.goo.gl/tqGjoPpx7mYbqUa77

Promenade Plantée Paris's elevated walkway this was my route to work in 2011. I highly recommend it when next in Paris https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jun/07/paris-promenade-plantee-free-elevated-park-walkway-bastille-bois-de-vincennes


Supporting this Blog

Thank you again for reading this article and getting this far, it takes some time as you can imagine to put in all the details today. My lived experience and previous professional roles are shaping my Carer role and I hope to only bring helpful and important insights through this Blog, as well as also a feeling that all this is not 'odd' or 'impossible' or something one has to do or feel alone in. As much as it is a joy, and some form of Therapy to write unfortunately with very poor economic options available for a Parent Carer I would like to invite you to consider donating to my Go Fund Me Page if you found something useful in this article. Thank you.



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