Embracing the pain

Psalm 121:1-2 

"I lift my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth".

February 2025 marked four years since my mother received her diagnosis. It's been nearly a year since she entered home hospice care. This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with both highs and lows. Each day is an adventure. 

During the tougher moments, it can be hard to stay positive, as thoughts arise that this might be the end and I am losing her. In those moments, tears often flow. The day I wrote this blog, was a low day. According to mom’s current symptoms she is transitioning, basically the disease has taken over, and now her days are numbered. 

How do you navigate the pain when a loved one faces a terminal illness that is taking away their life? From my personal experience, the key is to embrace the situation. Pain is a part of life, no matter how you want to run away from it or bury your head in the sand, the pain doesn’t go away. 

Embracing the pain means releasing your emotions having  a good cry, as much as you need to. Sharing your feelings with another person. Praying and leaning on God’s word for strength. 

I was curious about others who shared a similar struggle, Below are some testimonials of people who were caregivers to their parents as there illnesses progressed 

Finding Peace in Presence

"Caring for my mother in her final months was the hardest and most beautiful thing I’ve ever done. There were moments of exhaustion, but also moments of deep connection—holding her hand, playing her favorite songs, and simply sitting with her in silence. As painful as it was, I found peace in knowing that she was not alone, that she felt loved, and that I was there for her until her last breath."
— Sarah, caregiver for her mother with cancer

The Gift of Love and Letting Go

"Watching my father decline was heartbreaking. I wanted to fix everything, to take away his pain, but I couldn’t. I learned that just being there—comforting him, laughing at old stories, even just adjusting his pillow—meant everything. The hardest part was letting go, but knowing I did everything I could gives me peace today."

The Strength to Show Up

"My father was always the strong one in our family, so seeing him grow weaker every day was unbearable. But caregiving taught me a new kind of strength—the strength to show up even when I was exhausted, to comfort him when I was breaking inside, and to be present in his last moments. It wasn’t easy, but I wouldn't trade those final days for anything. I held his hand as he took his last breath, and in that moment, I knew I had done everything I could to make his transition peaceful. That gives me comfort today."

As we release the emotions, finding strength in God’s word is comfortable.  While we can’t avoid pain, we can be assured that God is our comforter and strength as we grow through 

Encouraging scriptures 

Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

In closing, embracing the pain of watching your love one slip away is not easy.  You find peace in presence, embrace the gift of letting go, and seek the strength to show up. You take each day as it comes and cherish each moment you have, and pray for strength to endure.