Oof I feel this. The distance is tough! But I think if I lived close I would forget about taking care of myself and eventually burn out. It’s a blessing in disguise, but I feel plenty of guilt even though logically I know I shouldn’t. Thanks for sharing, Edie!
It sure is tough to be so far away going through something like this, but reading your experience makes me feel not so alone. My journey is different - I'm in Australia, my family are in the UK. My dad is still my mum's primary care-giver, even though he still works full time, too. They're both only in their early 60s. She's still home, for better or for worse.
It's tough, but we're all just doing our best, even with finding ways to mitigate the guilt, which is ever present and oh so real. I spent years calling her every day and she would cry and tell me everything would be better and different if I were there. I felt like I'd had to break her heart every day by telling her I couldn't be. I wish she'd understood my choices, but what can you do! Anyway, thanks for sharing. It's so heart-affirming to read other people's stories of similar things x
Oh Cassie! I am sorry for what you are going through half a world away from your family. I am sure your love shows up to them in many ways. And for sure if you were right there the guilt would find you anyway. You are definitely NOT alone and it may take a while to recognize the support you give from afar. Hang in there and be kind to yourself!
Thanks for giving voice to something that is so very real in a lot of long distance experiences. I moved to Utah but my parents are in Pennsylvania.....but they're soon moving to Florida. Either way, I'm dreading the time when they become ill because of the travel logistics...among other reasons. And it's hard not to feel a constant low-grade guilt for choosing to leave in the first place! Missing out on family events and such, as you so correctly said.
Oof I feel this. The distance is tough! But I think if I lived close I would forget about taking care of myself and eventually burn out. It’s a blessing in disguise, but I feel plenty of guilt even though logically I know I shouldn’t. Thanks for sharing, Edie!
Quoting my friend Cindy’s mom Big Nance: “Guilt! It’s for the birds!”
It sure is tough to be so far away going through something like this, but reading your experience makes me feel not so alone. My journey is different - I'm in Australia, my family are in the UK. My dad is still my mum's primary care-giver, even though he still works full time, too. They're both only in their early 60s. She's still home, for better or for worse.
It's tough, but we're all just doing our best, even with finding ways to mitigate the guilt, which is ever present and oh so real. I spent years calling her every day and she would cry and tell me everything would be better and different if I were there. I felt like I'd had to break her heart every day by telling her I couldn't be. I wish she'd understood my choices, but what can you do! Anyway, thanks for sharing. It's so heart-affirming to read other people's stories of similar things x
Oh Cassie! I am sorry for what you are going through half a world away from your family. I am sure your love shows up to them in many ways. And for sure if you were right there the guilt would find you anyway. You are definitely NOT alone and it may take a while to recognize the support you give from afar. Hang in there and be kind to yourself!
Thanks for giving voice to something that is so very real in a lot of long distance experiences. I moved to Utah but my parents are in Pennsylvania.....but they're soon moving to Florida. Either way, I'm dreading the time when they become ill because of the travel logistics...among other reasons. And it's hard not to feel a constant low-grade guilt for choosing to leave in the first place! Missing out on family events and such, as you so correctly said.