Guest Post: What is Caregiving?

This week, my dear, fun, strong, goofy, dancing-queen friend, Andrea Smith, shares how she joined my care team and what caregiving means to her.



Caregiving. What exactly is it? 


Definition: Caregiving is the activity or profession of regularly looking after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person. (just a quick google search, lol) 


I have always LOVED helping and serving. I love children, I love being able to support other people, but there’s also a deep rooted selfishness and pride that can underlie the outward selflessness. I have been blessed with numerous caregiving positions throughout my life so far and meeting Connie has been one of the biggest blessings over the past couple years. 


If I’m being honest, I was super hesitant to meet Connie and start helping her. When my dear friends Abby and Ruth brought it up, I felt like I was much too busy to add *another* thing to my plate. Especially another potentially taxing responsibility, but I was curious. So, I visited and decided to give it a try, potentially out of peer pressure. Honestly, I was really nervous at first even though I have a background of education in occupational therapy which prepares me pretty well for such an opportunity. In the past, I’ve really struggled with feeling like I am responsible for fixing people or that I am *the* only person that can do what is needed. Ohhh how much I’ve been growing in this, and becoming friends with Connie has only helped.


Connie has a team of ladies who help her, and I am just one of them. Sure, there are times when I get asked last minute if I can cover and sometimes, I feel like I have to. More often, however, I find myself willing to honestly answer with my availability, AND I find myself willingly picking up shifts so that I can hang out with Connie.


I am continually humbled by the fact that Connie has SO many wonderful caregivers. It’s not all up to me! Yet, I also have a special place and opportunity to grow closer to her and to people she is connected with. Connie is like a melting pot of connections and it’s AMAZING! Somehow, I end up making new connections and finding out how they are connected to Connie or to me outside of Connie. What a cool God we have!! We Carry Kevan families, other caregivers, children of caregivers, friends, people at my gym, people at church, etc.


What that definition at the beginning leaves out is the very possible gift of friendship, growth, and blessing beyond expectation! Connie has consistently welcomed and embraced my goofiness, pointed me to Christ, and given me the opportunity (directly or indirectly) to practice true selflessness in service, and that brings JOY. When I could be tempted to grumble, I often find myself choosing instead to thank God for an opportunity to practice selfless love. Yeaaaah, it’s tiring sometimes, but the reward is greater and I’m thankful for the opportunities to not only serve her, but to be served by her.


So, caregiving. It’s challenging but can be oh, so beautiful, no matter who it is for.

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