Caregiving: A True Act of Love

Much has been written, sung, photographed, filmed, orated about the beautiful word "love." People love pizza, television shows, sports teams, vacation destinations. People love each other. Often that love is expressed in words, poems, songs, looks, touch.

Most often in my experience it is described as a strong emotion based on appeal or some sort of reciprocal care and affection.

It seems that romantic love is part of nearly every film in some way. People fall in and out of it. I watch Hallmark romance episodes with my loved one and in less than 90 minutes character go from loving one person to another. Is this true love? I guess it can lead to it.

Every hour of every day

I'm not writing about that kind of love. I am writing about the type of love that I see exhibited every hour of every day by caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.

This kind of love is rarely shown television or film. This love changes pull-ups. It bathes and dries off. It brushes teeth. It cares for the sick. This kind of love is okay with not being thanked or reciprocation.

This love inspires

I want to you all to know that I see you. I see the way that you care, and love and I am impressed every day. You are truly loving. You are appreciated in the darkest of nights and longest of days. Your kind of love asks nothing but gives everything. I applaud you.

Your special kind of love motivates me to love well. I am not naturally a giving person. My own traumatic life experience taught me to care for myself first, but your example is teaching me to love others as I love myself.

Your love inspires me to be more loving and that is the beauty of this community. We are a community that truly loves.

In every home

I was watching an old episode of The Love Boat recently and thought about the opening song's lyrics, "Love, exciting and new," and "love won't hurt anymore." It was a fun show for us babyboomers and those who watch classic television.

For years, I thought love was found on a moonlit deck over some fake ocean backdrop. Now, I know that true love is found in every home where Alzheimer's patients experience care.

Take heart, caregiver

So, what is the point? Take heart in knowing that you are the most loving people ever. Take heart in knowing that people notice and admire the way that you love. Take heart in knowing that when things are tough that your unconditional love is the very definition of love. Take heart in knowing that every act of love that you share in our community inspires others by your example.

I want to encourage you today that we are all in this together, this community of love. You are not alone. We all know and feel your loving commitment. The term "loved one" is not merely a description of the person we care for, but the very definition of how we do it.

What inspires to love selflessly?