For me, the movie ‘Barbie’ was profound.
There’s a scene where Barbie sits on a bus bench with an elderly lady, and Barbie tells her she is beautiful. The woman replies, “I know”. A teenager tells Barbie she “hates her” because Barbie set an impossible standard of beauty and body proportions.
No real woman possesses the figure of a Barbie doll.
I once envied women who resembled Barbie more than I did. My figure was more pear-shaped than Barbie’s hourglass. Like many young women, I didn’t feel beautiful.
However, one advantage of aging is gaining perspective. Now, I recall my mom and her friends not as “old ladies” but as beautiful women. I’ve moved beyond envying other women; I now appreciate the beauty in youth, as well as the elegance in age and its accompanying gray hair and wrinkles.
True beauty genuinely comes from within. There’s a remarkable beauty inherent in caregivers, be they male or female. Those who dedicate themselves to caring for others, whether out of love or profession, emanate a beauty that arises from such devotion.
Caregiving is arguably among the most challenging roles, especially when caring for those with dementia. These individuals can exhibit difficult behaviors, lack understanding of their limitations, and often resist baths and medications, complicating their care. Yet, when I visited my husband and saw others in care facilities, I observed expressions of compassion where frustration might have been expected. I witnessed a beauty that genuinely emanated from the heart. So, to all who care for others, know that you are beautiful.
Always remember to prioritize your well-being. If you’re the sole caregiver for a loved one, SEEK HELP. One service I offer is Care Navigation, assisting families in finding the support they need. Solutions range from Medi-Cal or Veteran’s Benefits to wisely using a parent’s assets to finance care.
Each family’s situation and dementia journey is unique. If you require assistance, please reach out to me.
