When I was a little girl, the holiday season was all about the smell of the log fire, family reunions, a festive feast that filled our bellies, my aunt’s incredible Christmas log desserts and endless games… with the occasional squabble between cousins! But it was mainly my grandmother, my grandfather’s caregiver, who made sure everything was ready.
I never thought about what it meant for my grandmother to be in charge of all those big parties, and the fatigue caused by the preparations, on top of the daily care she provided for my grandfather.
Today, I realize just how demanding it was for her to get all those people together. Despite fatigue, illness and difficult times. It was like adding a touch of magic to everyday life.
And while the festivities of yesteryear may never return, we still have the memories, the smells and all those moments that we recall with fondness.
We know that this period can be marked by complex emotions, from the joyful reunion to the fatigue, the illness that sometimes progresses too quickly and the absence of those who are no longer there.
Caring for another person requires strength and energy. May this festive season be for you a time of togetherness, as my grandmother loved, or simply an opportunity for calm and rest. May it reflect your holiday spirit: a time that’s just like you, gentle, serene and full of meaning.
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Contact our Caregiver Support Helpline for counselling, information and referrals.
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