As a number of you know, my 94-year old mother moved to a retirement home in another city in November. I was her primary caregiver for 10 years while she lived in her apartment. My sister is now the primary caregiver. I still visit and help as I can, but it’s no longer on me. I now live too far away to be drawn back into the gravitational pull of caregiving,
Her apartment was cleaned out in December, and I handed the keys back at the end of the month.
I had reached my limit with caregiving—it was a gruelling marathon, and I’m relieved that it finally ended. I am beginning to make plans to move back to my previous city 5 hours away. I do not want to remain here as I associate this city with caregiving and the feeling of being stuck. I was happy in my previous city, and think that I can be happy there again.
I also find that some friends understand how hard caregiving was, and some don’t. It’s easier to come to this forum where everyone understands.
Although I’m free now, I’m still very tired. I’m moving forward anyway. I have to get my life back.