Embracing the Journey: Five Lessons from a Recovering Caregiver
- Juli Henderson
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
I see you. I desire to speak to you and for you, but only because I am one of you.
I step into this space gently and with the wisdom I pray God has given me to speak. This is a sacred space. This is a place with a deep well. This is our holy ground where we have wrestled privately and openly with much caution.
No one just rides into this space on a white horse to claim a seat here to fix us. These seats are for the weary travelers who have crossed mountains, rushing waters, and dangerous deserts with more baggage than friends and family members can carry. It is also a space where the unexpected sojourner can find loving arms and hearts full of compassion, ready to embrace the ones called to this caregiver life.
I invite you to come sit by me as my guest and listen to the words these recovering caregivers have shared in my circle. I will use my voice to share their stories and mine.
Sit. Listen. Learn.
Five Things I've Learned as a Recovering Caregiver:
1. What I Discovered About Love
There’s a type of love that shows up daily, even when exhausted.
Love can be fierce, quiet, sacrificial, and sustaining.
The heart can be conflicted between fixing and simply being present.
2. What I Had to Release
The illusion of control
The heaviness of not doing “enough”
The version of life I once imagined
3. What I Still Carry In My Arms
Sacred and life-giving memories
Rituals that bring comfort and peace
The voice of my son, still echoing in my heart
4. What I’m Learning to Reclaim
Moments for rest and renewal
Creative expression and personal dreams
The right to hold joy without guilt or shame
5. What I Want Others to Know
The caregiving calling is holy, but also very hard.
Grief and gratitude can coexist.
Caregivers are stronger than we think.
Now that you have heard from us, you must be available to connect, comfort, and care. Not all caregivers are called to care for months or years. Some of us only travel this road for days. My intention is to shine a light on all caregivers, no matter the length of time or the stretch on the road. When the light is bright enough for them to be seen, we can do great work, together.
For the ones who taught us so well, we accept this calling to keep breathing.
Listening Library: “Keep Breathing” (Ingrid Michaelson)
Keep Breathing
The storm is coming but I don't mind
People are dying, I close my blinds
All that I know is I'm breathing now
I want to change the world, and instead I sleep
I want to believe in more than you and me
But all that I know is I'm breathing
All I can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing now, now
Now, now, now
All that I know is I'm breathing
All I can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing now
Songwriters: Ingrid Michaelson
Keep Breathing lyrics © Spirit Catalogue Holdings S.a.r.l., Spirit Two Music Crescendo
