January 28, 2025 • 20 mins
In this deeply personal episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast, I share a heartfelt announcement about pausing the podcast and my services to focus on what matters most—caring for my beloved spouse, Denis, as he battles aggressive cancer. Inspired by Hoda Kotb’s Where We Belong, I reflect on the challenges and emotional journey of caregiving, the importance of self-care, and setting healthy boundaries. Join me as I open up about the tough decisions and soul searching that led to this pause, and offer a message of hope and encouragement to fellow caregivers navigating their own paths. Thank you for your unwavering support and understanding during this time. 💛
💌 Want more inspiration, information, and a deeper connection? Join the Caregiver Cup Community Newsletter for my weekly email filled with support and encouragement.
Get my free resource: 17 Shifts To Reduce CAREGIVER STRESS & Say Good-bye To CAREGIVER BURNOUT
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, hello, my friend, and welcome to another
episode of the Caregiver Cuppodcast.
I'm hoping you're having a goodday.
It's Kathy here.
If you are, please, please,just embrace the small moments
of joy, like I was walkingyesterday morning and the sun
was shining and I felt good andit was like it felt so good.
(00:20):
But if you aren't having a goodday or things are just not
going your way, let me send youa virtual hug and a smile your
way.
This caregiving job isn't easyand it's important you and I
find small moments of joy and,most importantly, time for
ourselves amidst all of thesechallenges and extra
responsibilities.
(00:42):
On a personal note, let's talkabout weather.
It's finally a bit warmer herein Wisconsin.
I laugh because if you're asouthern person, 20 degrees
isn't really warm and, as amatter of fact, it was so windy
this morning walking the dogs.
The wind was 20 some and thefeel good temperature was like
three degrees.
(01:03):
But as I was watching theweather last week, were you one
of those that experienced thatsnow and cold snap in America?
If you did, I hope you justembraced the snow and the white
that you received.
There's something sospectacular about how everything
(01:23):
turns white and bright outsideand then the sky looks even
bluer, but then, on the flipside, I hope you get warmer as
well.
Okay, I want to start out thisepisode with a book that I'm
reading.
You know how much I love HodaKotb.
While I'm reading her book,finally, the one called when we
Belong.
It was, I think it was,published in 2016 or 17.
(01:47):
The subtitle of when we Belongsays Journey that Show Us the
Way.
It's a collection of inspiringstories about people who find
the will and the way to livetheir best lives.
Oh my gosh, these are reallynice short stories of people
that have just really overcome alot of obstacles.
(02:07):
Well, I was hooked as soon as Iopened it up to the
introduction and I startedreading it.
Let me share with you theintroduction that I was reading.
It says maybe you did it today.
You asked yourself what the hellam I doing in this job or in
this relationship or in thiscity?
(02:29):
Most of us go there.
We float around in this halfempty glass, gazing out into the
world of possibilities andwonder it is too late to do
another question in there.
It is too late to do that thingthat made me so happy when I
was little, with a question markat the end.
(02:49):
Another question could whathappens most to me finally be
the center of my life?
Can I really trust thatyearning voice in my head and
longing in my heart?
What we're really askingourselves from the gut is do I
(03:10):
feel like I'm where I belong?
Well, it was as if this bookwas speaking to me this past
week, since my heart has been soheavy, working through hard
decisions about my prioritiesand time in my rough,
challenging season, with myhusband Dennis as a caregiver.
(03:32):
You and I may be seeing similarthings like and I kind of
transpose these questions howdid I get here?
Have you asked yourself that Mepersonally?
I've cared for my dad withpancreatic cancer, my mom with
her mental disorders and herlung cancer, and my spouse with
(03:56):
his transformation of cancer.
Seven plus five years goingfrom non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to
lymphoma, to a stem celltransplant, to all of it coming
back again.
All of these moments ofcaregiving are really very clear
to me.
But what's not very clear to meis all of the other things that
(04:20):
happen in the midst of it.
That happen in the midst of itbabies being born, parties and
celebrations, and Christmasesand holidays and birthdays.
They're all big blurs.
Is it too late?
Another question is it too lateto find joy and happiness?
We sacrifice so much ascaregivers and all that stress
(04:42):
and burnout takes a toll on us.
I sometimes feel numb to it,but you and I know how important
it is to find small moments ofjoy and laughter and fun.
Another question what mattersmost to me right now, or what
matters most to you right now?
This was like a punch in thethroat for me as a caregiver.
(05:05):
I continue to ask myself if thesmall things matter, like doing
the dishes, why is thatstressing me out and why is that
a priority some days?
Those unanswered emails thatare just overflowing in my inbox
.
What matters most to me rightnow?
(05:26):
Saying yes and putting in extrahours, especially when I was
caregiving for my mom and dad?
Another thing is when yourloved one is suffering and his
future is uncertain.
What matters really most to youright now?
The other question can I reallytrust the voice in my head and
(05:47):
what is most important right now?
You and I know we can't quit orrun away, but it can help you
determine what's most importantright now.
When you are feeling this way,obviously you know it's your
health that has to be mostimportant your quality time with
(06:07):
your loved one and your overalljoy that you're going to get in
those small moments.
And finally, the last questionand the last statement that I
read in that introduction was doI feel like I'm where I belong?
I've been journaling a lotlately and thinking through
what's most important to meright now and where I belong.
(06:29):
I know many caregivers, andmaybe even yourself, go through
this.
With all that being said, I hadto oh, this is going to be
really hard for me to say today,but I had to make some hard
core soul searching this week.
When things get tough andchallenging my personality, I
(06:50):
had to think about what happensto me.
My personality and heart digsinto work as a caregiver.
I will get busier and burymyself in my business.
In my podcast, I've learnedthat I try to sit with the suck.
I'm going to use that word andI move into fixing it instead of
(07:13):
just embracing what it is.
Trying to let it sit with me.
I right away want to move intogoing ahead and fixing something
or figuring out okay, this isgoing to happen this week.
Now I'm going to be away.
This is how I'm going to use upthe rest of my time.
(07:34):
I guess that's why I'm a goodcoach and can provide content
and strategies with you.
I know that's why I am.
But I've also realized I need tospend more time with myself and
Dennis right now and help himfind more joy and help myself
find more joy.
When he feels good.
(07:56):
I want to be able to dosomething fun with him at the
spur of the moment, because hecould wake up and say, yeah, I'm
having a good day and I couldsay well, you know what, let's
go for a ride, versus me saying,well, hopefully you can find
something to do, because I haveto go ahead and record my
(08:17):
podcast and I have to go aheadand create some more content.
When things are rough, I wantto give him extra support and
love, because the uncertainty isnot clear right now.
I want to be able to go aheadand say what can I do for you?
(08:37):
Do you want to watch a movietogether?
Do you want to watch a movietogether?
Do you want to go ahead?
And you know, want me to makeyou a chicken noodle soup?
And you know I buy the packetsbecause I'm not that good of a
cook, but I can buy the packetsand cut up the chicken and the
veggies and put them in thereand you know it's just like
homemade chicken noodle souphomemade chicken noodle soup.
(08:59):
I want to look back at thistough time with Dennis, knowing
I helped him every way I could.
I also need to focus on mypersonal self-care.
It's my fuel and my personaljoy that I think that I'm.
I say I'm doing it, but I putit on a schedule and do it
(09:23):
instead of enjoying it lately.
I think you can tell what'scoming, my friend.
I've made the really hard, roughdecision to pause my podcast
and services right now.
Please listen to me when I saypause and services right now.
(09:45):
Please listen to me when I saypause, because I've been
consistently recording weeklypodcasts for four years and
providing services for six yearsand haven't missed a beat.
But there's something aboutthis time right now that tells
me I just need to break away andfocus on my spouse, my family
(10:08):
and myself.
It doesn't mean that helpingcaregivers isn't important and
this part of me is just tuggingat my heart.
It's just that I can't keep mycup full right now.
It's just that I can't keep mycup full right now.
I've been trying to go aheadand my cup is going empty many,
many times and it's affecting mepersonally and my relationships
(10:32):
.
So the pause isn't going to beformally a goodbye.
It's about taking a break anddoing what's best for me and
best for the season that I'm in.
Really, I hope you do this foryourself too.
If things are looking toughright now, can you pause and
(10:54):
look at what your priorities are?
Setting healthy boundaries arehard, but if your health or joy
or your loved one is in need ofmore, you have to make these
decisions.
And my decision wasn't made verylightly.
It wasn't made lightly.
(11:14):
I personally reflected on thisfor a few weeks.
I really did.
I tossed and turned.
One day I'd wake up and say, oh, kathy, you're just hormonal
today, and the next day I wouldfeel the same way.
The next day I would feel thesame way.
(11:35):
So I did that personally.
Then I said well, I'm going totalk to some people.
I'm going to talk to others andnot just one person.
I first of all talked to Dennisand said hey, I've been toying
with this for a while and heknows me.
You know, inside and out, we'vebeen married for 43 plus years,
(11:56):
so we've been married a longtime and he knew the pros and
cons and all of that kind ofstuff.
You do what you need to do, butI can see where you're coming
from.
Then I talked to myaccountability friend, amy, who
I've been in the business withfor four plus years and we've
(12:20):
been meeting for that long and Itold her about it and she's a
coach and so I talked to her asa coach but I also talked to her
as a friend, to her as a coach,but I also talked to her as a
friend and she pretty muchagreed with me and gave me all
of these possibilities to sayyou know, asked me really really
good questions.
Then I talked to my sister,connie, who really is a really
(12:45):
good listener, and I swear mysister Connie should be an
investigator or a detectivebecause she asked so many good
questions and hard questions.
And she asked me the hardquestions.
Can you do this?
Can you step away from themicrophone?
Because I've been married tothis podcast for four years and
(13:06):
never, ever, missed an episode.
And she said are you preparedfor how it's going to feel?
Do you know why you're doing it?
Because I can't sit still.
What are you going to do tofill the spots, and this is
something I need to work on.
And then I talked to my bestfriend, julie, who I bowl with
(13:28):
about it, and she just gave me abig hug and congratulated me
for going ahead and setting ahealthy boundary, whether I went
through with it or not.
She knows how hard it is for mepersonally to set a healthy
boundary.
Then I talked back with Dennisprobably about five times after
that, now kind of switching intoDennis.
(13:54):
I sure hope Dennis can beat thisaggressive cancer.
He's been fighting this since2017, but it's never been at the
peak as it is now.
The doctors have now addedchemotherapy pills to his
treatment, which means he'sgetting his infusion treatments
(14:14):
every three weeks and he's goingto take chemotherapy pills
twice daily Because the infusionis fighting the Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
The chemotherapy is trying toget that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
which isn't curable, down toless than 10%, so we can go
(14:38):
ahead and move forward with astem cell transplant, because we
couldn't proceed because thenon-Hodgkin's lymphoma is in his
bone marrow.
Our hope is that the bonemarrow biopsy can be done in a
(14:59):
couple of months again and wesee a good response and maybe
then a sedum cell transplantafter that, or you know what the
other alternative is, and so itjust reinforces that I need to
be where I need to be right now,if the cards don't align.
(15:20):
I want to spend quality timewith him, create new joyful
memories and do what I can tosteal every ounce of my best
friend, dennis, which I married43 and a half years ago.
I know I will struggle with thebusiness of this passion work
that I'm doing.
I know I will struggle with it,but I can go back when the time
(15:45):
is right.
I will wish you and I will missyou.
I'm sorry, I wish and I willmiss you, and I hope you
continue to hit that text buttonand share a message with me
every week and tell me howyou're doing.
(16:07):
But I'm going to miss talkinginto this mic.
I'm going to miss getting thosemessages mic.
I'm going to miss getting thosemessages from you about each
and every podcast.
I'm going to miss the clientsthat I've coached.
I'm going to miss the peoplethat are on my emails.
But my goal is to fill this timewith personal time for me and
(16:28):
finding joyful moments withDennis.
Maybe I can go that extra mileon a walk, maybe I can drink
that extra cup of coffee and myhusband is watching Leave it to
Beaver episodes right now andI'm like, oh my God.
At first I was like I don'twant to be here, but now I've
(16:49):
learned to just sit with him andwatch one.
And I'm like I don't want to behere, but now I've learned to
just sit with him and watch oneand I'm like I could drink an
extra coffee.
I can record more in mypersonal journal about this
beautiful life I've been given.
I also want to spend more timewith my children and my
grandchildren, who are alsocoming to terms with their dad's
(17:11):
and their grandpa's illness.
So I just want to spend moretime and really live in the
present.
Who knows, if I feel something,I might grab that microphone and
share some inspiration and youmight see a podcast episode pop
up.
So hopefully you keep followingme, or I might send you an
(17:33):
email with a picture or twotelling you how I'm going.
This podcast will be accessibleto you.
All 250 episodes Today isreally the 250th episode for you
to go back and listen to.
If you go out to my website,there's a little magnifying
(17:54):
glass and so if you'restruggling with something, just
type in anger and resentment orguilt or worry or whatever it
would be, and you're going to beable to find it and re-listen
to it.
So let me wrap up here todaywith a personal note.
I want to leave you with this,up here today with a personal
(18:14):
note.
I want to leave you with thisLife, even if it's most
challenging moments in its mostchallenging moments, has a way
of reminding us what trulymatters.
Sometimes we need to pause, takea deep breath and choose what
fills our heart and soul,because that's what allows us to
show up fully for the lovedones we love.
Right now, my dear friend, Ihope you find the courage to
(18:37):
prioritize your own well-being,embrace those precious, fleeting
moments of joy, whether it's awalk outside, a quiet cup of
coffee, grabbing a paintbrushand painting, or holding hands
with your loved ones, thesemoments matter more than we
realize.
(18:58):
Thank you for being on thisjourney with me.
Your support has meant theworld to me and while this is a
pause, it's not a goodbye.
I'm still here in spirit,cheering you on as you navigate
your own caregiving path.
Remember you are stronger thanyou know, you are braver than
(19:21):
you feel and you're loved morethan you realize.
I feel like many of youlistening are my friends right
now and you're shaking your headsaying, yeah, I get it.
Until we meet again, I'msending you all my love, a big
virtual hug and a reminder tokeep filling your cup one small
(19:45):
moment at a time.
Take care, my friend.
This is Kathy signing off andpausing for now, and I'm hoping
that our paths cross again, andwho knows, it may be sooner than
you think, but remember to,friend, take care of yourself
because you deserve it.
Bye for now.
Well, hello, my friend, and welcome to another
episode of the Caregiver Cuppodcast.
I'm hoping you're having a goodday.
It's Kathy here.
If you are, please, please,just embrace the small moments
of joy, like I was walkingyesterday morning and the sun
was shining and I felt good andit was like it felt so good.
(00:20):
But if you aren't having a goodday or things are just not
going your way, let me send youa virtual hug and a smile your
way.
This caregiving job isn't easyand it's important you and I
find small moments of joy and,most importantly, time for
ourselves amidst all of thesechallenges and extra
responsibilities.
(00:42):
On a personal note, let's talkabout weather.
It's finally a bit warmer herein Wisconsin.
I laugh because if you're asouthern person, 20 degrees
isn't really warm and, as amatter of fact, it was so windy
this morning walking the dogs.
The wind was 20 some and thefeel good temperature was like
three degrees.
(01:03):
But as I was watching theweather last week, were you one
of those that experienced thatsnow and cold snap in America?
If you did, I hope you justembraced the snow and the white
that you received.
There's something sospectacular about how everything
(01:23):
turns white and bright outsideand then the sky looks even
bluer, but then, on the flipside, I hope you get warmer as
well.
Okay, I want to start out thisepisode with a book that I'm
reading.
You know how much I love HodaKotb.
While I'm reading her book,finally, the one called when we
Belong.
It was, I think it was,published in 2016 or 17.
(01:47):
The subtitle of when we Belongsays Journey that Show Us the
Way.
It's a collection of inspiringstories about people who find
the will and the way to livetheir best lives.
Oh my gosh, these are reallynice short stories of people
that have just really overcome alot of obstacles.
(02:07):
Well, I was hooked as soon as Iopened it up to the
introduction and I startedreading it.
Let me share with you theintroduction that I was reading.
It says maybe you did it today.
You asked yourself what the hellam I doing in this job or in
this relationship or in thiscity?
(02:29):
Most of us go there.
We float around in this halfempty glass, gazing out into the
world of possibilities andwonder it is too late to do
another question in there.
It is too late to do that thingthat made me so happy when I
was little, with a question markat the end.
(02:49):
Another question could whathappens most to me finally be
the center of my life?
Can I really trust thatyearning voice in my head and
longing in my heart?
What we're really askingourselves from the gut is do I
(03:10):
feel like I'm where I belong?
Well, it was as if this bookwas speaking to me this past
week, since my heart has been soheavy, working through hard
decisions about my prioritiesand time in my rough,
challenging season, with myhusband Dennis as a caregiver.
(03:32):
You and I may be seeing similarthings like and I kind of
transpose these questions howdid I get here?
Have you asked yourself that Mepersonally?
I've cared for my dad withpancreatic cancer, my mom with
her mental disorders and herlung cancer, and my spouse with
(03:56):
his transformation of cancer.
Seven plus five years goingfrom non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to
lymphoma, to a stem celltransplant, to all of it coming
back again.
All of these moments ofcaregiving are really very clear
to me.
But what's not very clear to meis all of the other things that
(04:20):
happen in the midst of it.
That happen in the midst of itbabies being born, parties and
celebrations, and Christmasesand holidays and birthdays.
They're all big blurs.
Is it too late?
Another question is it too lateto find joy and happiness?
We sacrifice so much ascaregivers and all that stress
(04:42):
and burnout takes a toll on us.
I sometimes feel numb to it,but you and I know how important
it is to find small moments ofjoy and laughter and fun.
Another question what mattersmost to me right now, or what
matters most to you right now?
This was like a punch in thethroat for me as a caregiver.
(05:05):
I continue to ask myself if thesmall things matter, like doing
the dishes, why is thatstressing me out and why is that
a priority some days?
Those unanswered emails thatare just overflowing in my inbox
.
What matters most to me rightnow?
(05:26):
Saying yes and putting in extrahours, especially when I was
caregiving for my mom and dad?
Another thing is when yourloved one is suffering and his
future is uncertain.
What matters really most to youright now?
The other question can I reallytrust the voice in my head and
(05:47):
what is most important right now?
You and I know we can't quit orrun away, but it can help you
determine what's most importantright now.
When you are feeling this way,obviously you know it's your
health that has to be mostimportant your quality time with
(06:07):
your loved one and your overalljoy that you're going to get in
those small moments.
And finally, the last questionand the last statement that I
read in that introduction was doI feel like I'm where I belong?
I've been journaling a lotlately and thinking through
what's most important to meright now and where I belong.
(06:29):
I know many caregivers, andmaybe even yourself, go through
this.
With all that being said, I hadto oh, this is going to be
really hard for me to say today,but I had to make some hard
core soul searching this week.
When things get tough andchallenging my personality, I
(06:50):
had to think about what happensto me.
My personality and heart digsinto work as a caregiver.
I will get busier and burymyself in my business.
In my podcast, I've learnedthat I try to sit with the suck.
I'm going to use that word andI move into fixing it instead of
(07:13):
just embracing what it is.
Trying to let it sit with me.
I right away want to move intogoing ahead and fixing something
or figuring out okay, this isgoing to happen this week.
Now I'm going to be away.
This is how I'm going to use upthe rest of my time.
(07:34):
I guess that's why I'm a goodcoach and can provide content
and strategies with you.
I know that's why I am.
But I've also realized I need tospend more time with myself and
Dennis right now and help himfind more joy and help myself
find more joy.
When he feels good.
(07:56):
I want to be able to dosomething fun with him at the
spur of the moment, because hecould wake up and say, yeah, I'm
having a good day and I couldsay well, you know what, let's
go for a ride, versus me saying,well, hopefully you can find
something to do, because I haveto go ahead and record my
(08:17):
podcast and I have to go aheadand create some more content.
When things are rough, I wantto give him extra support and
love, because the uncertainty isnot clear right now.
I want to be able to go aheadand say what can I do for you?
(08:37):
Do you want to watch a movietogether?
Do you want to watch a movietogether?
Do you want to go ahead?
And you know, want me to makeyou a chicken noodle soup?
And you know I buy the packetsbecause I'm not that good of a
cook, but I can buy the packetsand cut up the chicken and the
veggies and put them in thereand you know it's just like
homemade chicken noodle souphomemade chicken noodle soup.
(08:59):
I want to look back at thistough time with Dennis, knowing
I helped him every way I could.
I also need to focus on mypersonal self-care.
It's my fuel and my personaljoy that I think that I'm.
I say I'm doing it, but I putit on a schedule and do it
(09:23):
instead of enjoying it lately.
I think you can tell what'scoming, my friend.
I've made the really hard, roughdecision to pause my podcast
and services right now.
Please listen to me when I saypause and services right now.
(09:45):
Please listen to me when I saypause, because I've been
consistently recording weeklypodcasts for four years and
providing services for six yearsand haven't missed a beat.
But there's something aboutthis time right now that tells
me I just need to break away andfocus on my spouse, my family
(10:08):
and myself.
It doesn't mean that helpingcaregivers isn't important and
this part of me is just tuggingat my heart.
It's just that I can't keep mycup full right now.
It's just that I can't keep mycup full right now.
I've been trying to go aheadand my cup is going empty many,
many times and it's affecting mepersonally and my relationships
(10:32):
.
So the pause isn't going to beformally a goodbye.
It's about taking a break anddoing what's best for me and
best for the season that I'm in.
Really, I hope you do this foryourself too.
If things are looking toughright now, can you pause and
(10:54):
look at what your priorities are?
Setting healthy boundaries arehard, but if your health or joy
or your loved one is in need ofmore, you have to make these
decisions.
And my decision wasn't made verylightly.
It wasn't made lightly.
(11:14):
I personally reflected on thisfor a few weeks.
I really did.
I tossed and turned.
One day I'd wake up and say, oh, kathy, you're just hormonal
today, and the next day I wouldfeel the same way.
The next day I would feel thesame way.
(11:35):
So I did that personally.
Then I said well, I'm going totalk to some people.
I'm going to talk to others andnot just one person.
I first of all talked to Dennisand said hey, I've been toying
with this for a while and heknows me.
You know, inside and out, we'vebeen married for 43 plus years,
(11:56):
so we've been married a longtime and he knew the pros and
cons and all of that kind ofstuff.
You do what you need to do, butI can see where you're coming
from.
Then I talked to myaccountability friend, amy, who
I've been in the business withfor four plus years and we've
(12:20):
been meeting for that long and Itold her about it and she's a
coach and so I talked to her asa coach but I also talked to her
as a friend, to her as a coach,but I also talked to her as a
friend and she pretty muchagreed with me and gave me all
of these possibilities to sayyou know, asked me really really
good questions.
Then I talked to my sister,connie, who really is a really
(12:45):
good listener, and I swear mysister Connie should be an
investigator or a detectivebecause she asked so many good
questions and hard questions.
And she asked me the hardquestions.
Can you do this?
Can you step away from themicrophone?
Because I've been married tothis podcast for four years and
(13:06):
never, ever, missed an episode.
And she said are you preparedfor how it's going to feel?
Do you know why you're doing it?
Because I can't sit still.
What are you going to do tofill the spots, and this is
something I need to work on.
And then I talked to my bestfriend, julie, who I bowl with
(13:28):
about it, and she just gave me abig hug and congratulated me
for going ahead and setting ahealthy boundary, whether I went
through with it or not.
She knows how hard it is for mepersonally to set a healthy
boundary.
Then I talked back with Dennisprobably about five times after
that, now kind of switching intoDennis.
(13:54):
I sure hope Dennis can beat thisaggressive cancer.
He's been fighting this since2017, but it's never been at the
peak as it is now.
The doctors have now addedchemotherapy pills to his
treatment, which means he'sgetting his infusion treatments
(14:14):
every three weeks and he's goingto take chemotherapy pills
twice daily Because the infusionis fighting the Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
The chemotherapy is trying toget that non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
which isn't curable, down toless than 10%, so we can go
(14:38):
ahead and move forward with astem cell transplant, because we
couldn't proceed because thenon-Hodgkin's lymphoma is in his
bone marrow.
Our hope is that the bonemarrow biopsy can be done in a
(14:59):
couple of months again and wesee a good response and maybe
then a sedum cell transplantafter that, or you know what the
other alternative is, and so itjust reinforces that I need to
be where I need to be right now,if the cards don't align.
(15:20):
I want to spend quality timewith him, create new joyful
memories and do what I can tosteal every ounce of my best
friend, dennis, which I married43 and a half years ago.
I know I will struggle with thebusiness of this passion work
that I'm doing.
I know I will struggle with it,but I can go back when the time
(15:45):
is right.
I will wish you and I will missyou.
I'm sorry, I wish and I willmiss you, and I hope you
continue to hit that text buttonand share a message with me
every week and tell me howyou're doing.
(16:07):
But I'm going to miss talkinginto this mic.
I'm going to miss getting thosemessages mic.
I'm going to miss getting thosemessages from you about each
and every podcast.
I'm going to miss the clientsthat I've coached.
I'm going to miss the peoplethat are on my emails.
But my goal is to fill this timewith personal time for me and
(16:28):
finding joyful moments withDennis.
Maybe I can go that extra mileon a walk, maybe I can drink
that extra cup of coffee and myhusband is watching Leave it to
Beaver episodes right now andI'm like, oh my God.
At first I was like I don'twant to be here, but now I've
(16:49):
learned to just sit with him andwatch one.
And I'm like I don't want to behere, but now I've learned to
just sit with him and watch oneand I'm like I could drink an
extra coffee.
I can record more in mypersonal journal about this
beautiful life I've been given.
I also want to spend more timewith my children and my
grandchildren, who are alsocoming to terms with their dad's
(17:11):
and their grandpa's illness.
So I just want to spend moretime and really live in the
present.
Who knows, if I feel something,I might grab that microphone and
share some inspiration and youmight see a podcast episode pop
up.
So hopefully you keep followingme, or I might send you an
(17:33):
email with a picture or twotelling you how I'm going.
This podcast will be accessibleto you.
All 250 episodes Today isreally the 250th episode for you
to go back and listen to.
If you go out to my website,there's a little magnifying
(17:54):
glass and so if you'restruggling with something, just
type in anger and resentment orguilt or worry or whatever it
would be, and you're going to beable to find it and re-listen
to it.
So let me wrap up here todaywith a personal note.
I want to leave you with this,up here today with a personal
(18:14):
note.
I want to leave you with thisLife, even if it's most
challenging moments in its mostchallenging moments, has a way
of reminding us what trulymatters.
Sometimes we need to pause, takea deep breath and choose what
fills our heart and soul,because that's what allows us to
show up fully for the lovedones we love.
Right now, my dear friend, Ihope you find the courage to
(18:37):
prioritize your own well-being,embrace those precious, fleeting
moments of joy, whether it's awalk outside, a quiet cup of
coffee, grabbing a paintbrushand painting, or holding hands
with your loved ones, thesemoments matter more than we
realize.
(18:58):
Thank you for being on thisjourney with me.
Your support has meant theworld to me and while this is a
pause, it's not a goodbye.
I'm still here in spirit,cheering you on as you navigate
your own caregiving path.
Remember you are stronger thanyou know, you are braver than
(19:21):
you feel and you're loved morethan you realize.
I feel like many of youlistening are my friends right
now and you're shaking your headsaying, yeah, I get it.
Until we meet again, I'msending you all my love, a big
virtual hug and a reminder tokeep filling your cup one small
(19:45):
moment at a time.
Take care, my friend.
This is Kathy signing off andpausing for now, and I'm hoping
that our paths cross again, andwho knows, it may be sooner than
you think, but remember to,friend, take care of yourself
because you deserve it.
Bye for now.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.