The strange thing about love.

Sometimes I don't want to care. Being a care-giver can be scary. And debilitating. I was a care-giver. For 13 years. For my dear wife Jeanne. Until she died of Alzheimer complications. Almost six years ago. Oh, I still care. Can't avoid it. But I also build protective barriers. I care from a distance. In limited ways. Can't be a 24/7 care-giver any more. That's impossible. Because I want to survive. To sort of live happily ever after. Like in a fairy tale. Makes me a romantic idealist.  I know Alzheimer care-givers. I pity 'em and admire 'em at the same time. Because I've been through it. Learning on the job. The hard way. I tell 'em. Ease up. Take care of yourself. But often, they see no way out. They are resigned to their fate. Dedicated. That's the strange thing about love. It can become an obsession. --Jim Broede