It’s been a hairy week.

The kind of week where plans change, doctors and waiting rooms become part of the schedule, and you find yourself thinking, Well… this wasn’t on my calendar.

But somewhere in the middle of it all, I realized I’ve learned a few things.

First: shower. 😂

Seriously. If you’re a caregiver, just shower and get dressed before you leave the house. Because “we’re just going to get this checked out” can quickly become hours at urgent care, a doctor’s office, or the ER.

A shower won’t fix the situation, but at least you’ll feel comfortable in your own skin while you wait.

Second: pray.

Pray when you hear the news.
Pray on the drive there.
Pray while you’re waiting.
Pray with the person you love.

Sometimes I have beautiful words. Other times it’s simply, “God, please help me with whatever comes next.”

That counts too.

Third: remember that you ARE doing it.

Sometimes we get so caught up wondering, How am I going to handle all of this?

Meanwhile… we’re handling it.

Maybe not perfectly. Maybe with messy hair, cold coffee and a puppy waiting impatiently in the car. But we’re doing it.

And somewhere in all of this, I’m also learning that I still have to live my life.

Today, I’m going to lunch with a friend.

I’m going to walk the dog.

I might pull some weeds and smell the flowers.

I’m going to appreciate that my body works and carries me through these crazy days.

And I’m even going to be grateful for the construction mess around my house because, yes, it’s noisy and chaotic, but it also means we’re fortunate enough to be creating a beautiful new sunroom.

Sometimes gratitude shows up wearing work boots. 🌿

A Few Helpful Reminders

• Eat and drink the water. We caregivers can keep everyone else fed, hydrated and cared for while somehow surviving on coffee and three almonds.

• Don’t borrow tomorrow’s problems. Take care of what is actually in front of you today.

• Let good enough be good enough. Some days, everyone getting safely to bedtime is an accomplishment.

• Keep little pieces of your life. Lunch with a friend. A walk. Gardening. Sitting quietly with your coffee. These aren’t extras. They help keep you connected to yourself.

• Laugh when you can. Sometimes you laugh. Sometimes you cry. Occasionally you do both within five minutes. Welcome to caregiving.

• Notice what is still good. Even during a hard week, there are little gifts everywhere if we remember to look for them.

And maybe that’s my biggest lesson this week:

Taking care of myself isn’t something I do after I’m finished caregiving.

Taking care of myself is part of caregiving.

So today, I’m going to lunch.

The appointments, responsibilities, construction dust and weeds will still be there when I get back.

But for a little while, I’m going to sit with a friend, breathe, laugh and simply be.

And thank God for the good that is still growing right alongside the hard. 🌸