@Shannon Mumby I just read this post Shannon. Having been my husband’s “Caregiver” for many years before he died from Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s , I appreciate your comments about “seeing” caregivers. That role which is so multi-faceted that one can feel themselves disappearing. Because of my experience with my husband I find myself looking with awe at parents of children with disabilities . I’m aware that people often “look away” —so please know some of us see them too. Sending them blessings.

What a timely question.Every other Wednesday (today!) on Zoom, I facilitate a support group for people who are caring for a loved one with Lewy body dementia. It is a group I participated in as I cared for my husband, and now I’m the facilitator for it for the past three years. Being present to the people in the group and the people in the group being present to each other is very powerful. It is indeed, as you wrote Rick, a source of peace and connection, and I get as much from the group as they do by us all being together and present to each other.

And here I am envying the folks who got snow!!!! Another example of resisting what is!!

10 years ago, my son shared with me and his father that he was addicted to opioids. I thought this was the end of the world. but then he got involved in narcotics anonymous which brought him back to a spiritual practice. And in addition, when my husband got diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, my son‘s Recovery community was supportive, and his spiritual practice helped him deal with his father‘s illness and eventual death. Who could know I would be ever grateful that my son needed to go into NA. And there is a coda to this: yesterday I accompanied my son to his NA home meeting when he received his 10 year medallion. I couldn’t be more grateful that his journey has gone this way.

Not sure I can attend...will try..busy getting ready to leave town. If I can't join, wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving.