Special Turkey Day Wisdom

Here's hoping you have the best holiday possible—that is having a shame-free, guilt-free, worry-free time and maybe even rest a little. It couldn’t hurt.

Let the in-laws share in the cooking details, let your sister have dinner at her place, heck, even order in or go out to a restaurant. Here is a list of principals to ensure a guilt-free holiday:

• I am entitled to take care of myself.
• I am worthy of a break.
• I am showing my commitment to my caregiver role when I take steps like respite care to ensure that continued quality care is delivered to my loved one.
• It is OK to relax and enjoy other aspects of my life.
• It is OK to take a break and recharge my energies.
• It is OK to maintain as much normalcy in my life as possible
• It is OK to continue to dream.
• If roles were reversed, there is no question I would want my loved one to have respite.
• It is right and responsible of me to also have respite.

Well, that’s all the preaching I’m going to do this Thanksgiving, (Of course, I still have some of the days of Hanukkah, and all of Kwanzaa and Christmas to go!)