Finally, I learned to savor life.

I learned to like being an Alzheimer care-giver. One of the more remarkable feats of my life. Maybe because I accepted the role. Knowing that it was my destiny. I didn’t fight it any more. And I learned how to do it. Quite well. Other care-givers on the Alzheimer’s message boards thought I was nuts. Crazy. For finding enjoyment and satisfaction in such a pursuit. Because for many of ‘em, care-giving was the last thing they ever wanted to do. It was anguishing. Debilitating. Exhausting. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically. But I learned to get my daily sustenance from caring for my beloved Jeanne. That is, after I put Jeanne into a nursing home. For 38 months. I showed up every day. For 8 to 10 hours. And I went home, too. Late in the evening. For respite. To take care of myself. To rejuvenate for the next day. Yes, I learned. How to handle the job. Because it really wasn’t a job. It was pleasure. An act of love and respect. Not only for Jeanne. But for life itself. Finally, I learned to savor life. –Jim Broede