U NEVER GIVE UP, DO YOU?
“You never give up, do you?” is a line from the 1973 film “The Way We Were,” starring Robert Reford and Barbra Streisand.
That line symbolizes Streisand’s character. Throughout the movie, Streisand, playing Katie Morosky never gives up. She does not give up on the principles she believes, her conviction that she can make a difference nor her faith. Faith in what and in whom she believes is evident throughout the entire story which spans decades.
Although the plot of the movie has little to nothing to do with Caregiving, it made me think. And as with most things these days, my thoughts are filtered through a Caregiver’s lenses.
“You never give up, do you?”
As a Caregiver, I have many days when I’d like to give up…
Like when I have to unclog a toilet first thing in the morning.
When I prepare meals three times per day even though I rarely have an appetite.
While taking out the trash multiple times per day.
I don’t give up.
Accompanying my Mother to one of many doctor’s appointments and keeping track of any follow-up activity is tiresome.
Worrying that I may not be providing the best care possible no matter how hard I actually try to do so causes a continuous headache.
Feeling guilty, resentful and frustrated all at the same time can cause one to fall into a state of depression.
Wishing, hoping and praying for relief, rest, can lead to resignation and complacency.
BUT
“You never give up, do you?”
You don’t run away from Caregiving situations that only other Caregiver’s can begin to understand.
You don’t give up when you feel…
Alone
Afraid
Insecure
Incompetent
“You never give up, do you?”
Even when you are screaming, crying or singing, “I Can’t Do This Anymore!”
You don’t give up.
Why?
Because…
There is no one else to take your place.
You know that you are making a difference in someone else’s life.
You are totally aware that for, “My Mother to be fine because she is well taken care of,” you cannot give up.
You have a competitive spirit that makes you think that giving up is admitting defeat. And for you, losing is not an option.
You have faith that no matter how you feel, God is with you.
Like Streisand’s character in the movie, at the core of your being, you believe in what you’re doing and the reasons why.
And so…as a Caregiver,
“You never give up, do you?”
It’s probably not one of the better-known lines from the movie, but the Screenwriter felt it important enough for Robert Redford’s character, to say it twice. He says it in one of the opening scenes and then again at the end. He asks the question to which he already knows the answer.
“You never give up, do you?”
“Be proud of yourself,” says my Caregiver’s Conscience to yours.
SIA ‘ “NEVER GIVE UP” from the Movie “LION”
https://youtu.be/h6Ol3eprKiw?si=6CKRIhRdAdZwGF-1
A CAREGIVER’S CONSCIENCE PODCAST – “I GAVE UP EVERYTHING TO BE A CAREGIVER”
https://youtu.be/DiFfpHBfyeg?si=I38dB14JvefBsBAh
“YOU NEVER GIVE UP, DO YOU?” – from the last scene – “THE WAY WE WERE”
https://youtu.be/uPsKp5Dxu-o?si=g6IbUbAt7DjTRTqA
A CAREGIVER’S CONSCIENCE – THE BLOG
There is no one readily available to take my place so I have to keep going…no matter how exhausted I am…
And no matter how exhausted you are, U never give up do U? Be proud of yourself!!! 🌷💐