Am I It?

Carol, It is sad that the responsibilities are more often than not unfairly distributed. Caregiving is a true test of character. It reminds me of the broader picture wherein general challenges (to a family, community, nation, etc) are faced by those few who take responsibility, often enduring the criticism of the majority. I think the only real consolation is that you know you do your best and that your efforts create good.

That's a great analogy, Mike. And it is true - the mindset can transfer to all issues. Some people step up to the plate more readily than others. These days, many more men are doing so. I'll soon be blogging about a book written by an only son who took care of his mother (who had Alzheimer's). However, no matter how many siblings a person has, it is rare that the whole family participates equally. When I was interviewing caregivers for my book, Minding Our Elders, one of the common threads was siblings who won't or can't help out. I only have one story where there seemed to be a balance - out of 20 (plus my own six, but that is a different take on the matter). Thanks so much for writing.