This past week I had one of those sacred conversations.  A conversation where all things fake and phony fade away and the people involved are open and honest about life.

I was sitting in my office and someone stopped by.  I have this policy, if my office door is open you are welcome to come in and say hello…if the door is closed I am involved in something that needs my undivided attention.

As the person came in and began to share it was clear that while life was good…it was overwhelming.  They are in the role of caregiver and the amount of time and energy given to the one they were caring for left them tired and weary at the end of the day.  The truth is that this individual is always in caregiver mode.  I have watched from afar as they have come alongside many a people who have needed a gentle touch or simply to know that someone was there and cared for them.  It is how they move, how they look at the world.  There is a sense of thankfulness for all God has done in their lives that motivates them to give, and to give generously of themselves to others in need.  That giving is life giving…it is a spiritual gift, a calling and yet at the same time it can be draining and if we are not careful it can lead us to a place where we feel drained and left with little energy or space for ourselves.  Effective, long term care giving is a balancing act between sharing with others and making sure we take time to care for our own body, spirit, and soul. [Read more…]