By Sheryl Lynn Alzheimer’s Reading Room No matter the experience, there is always a gift. This is my mantra. I repeat it to myself each day. It helps me stay the course as a caregiver for my mother and my aunt, both of whom have dementia. Several months ago, I asked three people to help me who are no longer in my life but live on in my heart. I’ll call them Alex, Scott and Lennie. I was going through a difficult time mentally, emotionally, physically and financially. My ego put up a good fight before I sent the emails and made the phone call. I wouldn’t have contacted them if I’d had other alternatives available. I didn’t. One was the only person to give me clarity on something important that would help my heart heal, which was important because the stronger I am emotionally, the better I can hold myself together and be fully present and loving with my mother and my aunt. The other two had professional expertise that would help me publicize and grow my work, which was important because I’m paying out a lot of money each month to care for my mother. I’d contacted others who do the same work to help. They didn’t return my calls. So I reached out to these three people. I spoke from my heart. I was as loving as I could be, and I was as clear as I could be that I was in need of help and I needed it now. I practiced what I would say and how my voice would sound before I made the phone call and before I sent the emails. Two of the three never responded

Original Source of Keeping The Love Alive: Opening The Caregiver’s Heart