For reasons that hit close to home recently, I have developed an all new respect for those among us who are caregivers. Maybe only coincidentally, I also became aware that November is National Family Caregivers Month. Having spent my entire working life working with, for, and around a high percentage of people that have been in need of caregivers at one time or another, I have always been acutely aware of their importance, but it wasn’t until very recently when I was unexpectedly thrust into the role myself, did I really come to appreciate how difficult a job it is and how truly important and special the people are who choose to make this their life’s journey. And with an aging Baby-Boomer population in this country, caregivers are rapidly becoming more in need than ever, with really good ones increasingly harder to find.
So next Thursday when you sit down with your family and give thanks for all the many blessings we all enjoy, stop and take a moment to say thanks for those people who take care of those of us when we most need it. It may be a friend, a family member, a nurse, or a home health professional that you know or have had to employ in the past. And even if you’ve never been in the position to need one, just remember, it’s only a matter of time before you or a loved one will, or will be thrust into that role yourself. It took me being in that position myself to really understand how challenging it is, and to really appreciate what being a caregiver means. That’s why this Thanksgiving I want to stop to say thank you to all of you out there who care for all of us. Cheers!