I just saw this article on FB and I can relate to many portions of it. The main and major difference between how i relate and what the author (Lisa Anderson) talks about is that, while the author is referring to the end-season of life, I relate it to the start-season of life. Both seasons require service. Service. Giving. Pouring out to another without getting 'noticeably' much in return. Sowing. Watering. Not immediately seeing any results. Selflessness. 

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/caring-for-aging-loved-ones-is-about-showing-up/

"My caregiving season was unspeakably hard, but so worth it. I’m a changed person. I have memories with Mom I’ll never forget. I learned lessons I would not have learned otherwise. I have no regrets."

 - Care-giving, be it at the start-season of life (i.e. caring for babies and toddlers) or at the end-season of life (i.e. caring for sick/aged/dying parents, spouses, siblings, friends, etc) can be unspeakably hard, but so worth it. 

 - Dare I say that very few other things in life change us as much as care-giving does. It changes us. 

"I’m a changed person – a softer-hearted and more mature person. I have memories with Mom I’ll never forget. I learned lessons I would not have learned otherwise."-

"Some of my relationships suffered. I faded into the background at church. I got out of healthy routines. Many days it seemed like life was passing me by. I felt left out, left behind and alone. I also felt incredibly old."

"I’m serving again at church. I’m sleeping (and occasionally sleeping in!) again. I’m reconnecting with friends and repairing relationships with family. I’m living life today and planning for the future.

And I have no regrets. My care-giving season was unspeakably hard, but so worth it.

Don’t assume that you can’t be a caregiver because you can’t do it perfectly. You’ll never do it perfectly; believe me, I tried.

Care-giving is about showing up. It’s about setting aside a season for service and selflessness. It’s a noble and holy calling. And eventually – perhaps when the season’s over – you’ll feel the weight of the privilege you were given. And you’ll thank God for it."

Selah.

Accra, 23rd September, 2019.