Caring for Others: A Journey of Love

Today, I want to open up and share something deeply personal with you all. As many of you already know, I've been on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth for some time now. It's a journey that's far from complete, but it's led me back to my very first childhood love - writing.

For over six years, there's been this one passion project that I simply couldn't let go of. It all began in 2010 when I took on the role of caregiver for my aging father. I'll be honest with you all; I knew next to nothing about caregiving. Heck, there were times when I struggled to keep myself on track, but despite my own shortcomings, I stepped into that role with determination.

Being a caregiver is like taking a wild ride on an emotional rollercoaster. It's a journey filled with soaring highs of love and compassion, as well as those gut-wrenching lows of frustration and exhaustion. Throughout my time as a caregiver, I scoured bookshelves and websites, searching for something that would tell me what I was feeling was normal. I craved guidance and reassurance. I wanted someone to say, "You're not alone, Jay Jay," but I couldn't find that resource anywhere. So, I made a decision - I had to write that book myself.

I won't lie; the journey of writing this book has been a challenging one. I've started and stopped more times than I can count over these past six years. But, you know, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and at the perfect time. Right now, I'm in the final stages of editing, and I genuinely believe that this book will be available to you all before the holiday season rolls around. I promise to keep you updated on its progress.

What's truly amazing is that while I was pouring my heart and soul into this book, I may have stumbled upon my life's purpose. I poured thought and love into these pages because I wanted everyone out there going through what I went through to have the knowledge, resources, and reassurance they need to know they're not alone.

I'm not entirely sure what this new purpose will look like, but it feels like a calling. It feels like a commitment to spend the rest of my life helping those who have willingly or reluctantly chosen to care for others.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I'm excited to see where it takes us and how we can make a positive impact together. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, feel free to share your own thoughts and experiences in the comments. Let's continue this conversation and support each other every step of the way.