JOYFUL CHAOS

...When we start to see our home as a collection of memories rather than a place that needs to be perfectly clean, we begin to treasure those imperfections. I’ll cherish the crumbs left on the counter from someone making toast and the never-ending pile of dishes in the sink. Does this mean I don’t care about having a clean, orderly house? No, I do care. But I know that life has different stages, and right now, my kids are growing, learning, and changing. The projects they create and the activities they engage in are reflected in the state of our home, and I’m okay with that...

CARETAKER

...My mom is a shell of who she once was. The superwoman who raised four kids while working and managing the household is gone. She no longer remembers how to cook, let alone a recipe, or can't even engage in conversation. It's like she's physically present, but the person she once was is gone. Despite this, I find strength in the resilience I see in myself and other caregivers, driven by love and the human spirit...