The Joy of Caring

Reflections of a Daughter of the Silent Generation and Mother of Generation Y

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Remembering to Breathe, ie. taking care of ourselves during the holidays

December 9, 2019

On retreat with the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine, I took a long walk by myself in the woods. I flopped down in the fresh snow. I lay there, looking up at a tall evergreen that reached up to the blue sky (the blue Mom loved). I breathed in and out, deliberately, five times. It felt so good, I decided to go for ten.

—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story

Accepting help, Finding time, Learning as we go, Learning from mistakes, Maintaining balance, Making peace, Practicing faith, Taking care of self Alzheimer's Disease, Caregiver burden, Eldercare, Gratitude, Grief, Keep it simple, Life after death, Losing a loved one terry@thejoyofcaring.com 4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kathryn says

    December 10, 2019 at 1:03 am

    Terry,
    I’ve always learned so much from you and continue to even though you are far away. I think of you and your family often and I am so grateful for your friendship and wisdom you share with all of us through this blog.

    May you continue to find peace, love, faith, and joy each day during this Advent Season and in the new year to come.

    Reply
    • terry@thejoyofcaring.com says

      June 28, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      Thank you Kathryn, I wish the same for you out there in the great Midwest – I miss crossing paths : )

      Reply
  2. Kathleen Zimmer says

    December 11, 2019 at 12:57 am

    My deepest sympathy Terry on the passing of your Mom. You and she had a very special relationship and you were an incredible daughter and caregiver to her. Please be good to yourself and cherish your wonderful memories as you move into your, “new normal”. Wishing you much peace always.

    Reply
    • terry@thejoyofcaring.com says

      June 28, 2021 at 9:05 pm

      Thank you Kathleen.

      Reply

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I am Acadia Manset's granddaughter. Raised in Maine, graduated from Dartmouth College and Harvard Law, I have spent the last 24 years parenting. With our adult kids in the process of leaving the nest, my mom has moved in, leading to precious time and daily opportunities I never anticipated. I hope that this site will inspire insight and growth, humor and fun, questions and answers, for you and for me.

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Raised in Maine, I had spent the prior 24 years parenting, mostly in Wisconsin. With our adult kids in the process of leaving the nest, my mom moved in, from Maine, leading to precious time and daily opportunities I had never anticipated. I launched this site in 2017 as a way to share that experience, hoping to pass along what I was learning about Alzheimer's disease, to process the challenging parts, and to have some fun too. I never anticipated the way the community of readers would fuel me in staying the course. Today, I am deeply grateful for that, and so much more.

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