In his experience, Marc was confronted with an existential dimension to caregiving: “Caring for someone is also suffering; it is suffering through love.”

Transcript

I find that when we are suffering, we are looking for lifelines, and this is a warning. It is testing the strength of our faith. I am answering you differently now from what I would have answered you two years ago when my aunt died. I was with her for 6 months while she was in palliative care. And I cried. I burst into tears like an old lady. I cried, it’s terrible. I went to see a chaplain, and his words made me feel good. He is God’s representative with a big G, large, because for me it is very large and it gives meaning to what you are doing. And this is also a lifelong journey. Over the years, I will continue trying to get closer to God with a big G. This is it for me. I am convinced that for some people, it is essential to speak to God through their journey. Because caring for someone is also suffering. It is suffering through love. Being a parent is also having moments when you suffer a lot. Being a caregiver is also being confronted to this spiritual dimension. And one thing that I would add concerning the opportunity that I have to be a caregiver, it is the chance that I have to have met this friend. I made that choice. I imagine that for many people they do not choose to become caregiver. As for me, I am lucky that I have done it by choice, and I am very happy with the input of this person in my life. And I want to highlight this input because someone who needs help and who helps himself has gone more than half way for the caregiver. It is a lot of inspiration, great relief at the same time when someone helps himself. It prevents you from spending a lot of energy trying to convince him to let you help. I find this important.

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