How Caregiving Changes Us - What Dies, What Grows

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how we change over time as caregivers - the parts of ourselves that die and the new parts that grow. 

What has died in me:

• An assumption that I will have spontaneity in my life
• The idea that life would carry on according to my plans
• The inability to be alone
• Insecurity in my own abilities to do what I put my mind to
• Fear of vulnerability

What has grown in me: 

• The sense of being happy without other people to 'make' me happy
• Humility in the face of the random nature of what life deals me
• Confidence in my values and in my advocacy skills
• Acceptance of my own limitations in keeping my loved ones healthy and safe
• A growing awareness of my own mortality

What has died in you? What has grown? 

PS: See more images by this artist at http://brookeshaden.com/gallery/