Caregiving isn’t just something you do. It becomes part of who you are. It changes the way you move through the world, how you show up for others, and how you define love. It teaches you what matters, often in the quietest, most intimate moments. One of the most meaningful experiences in my caregiving journey was with my bonus dad, Tyrone.
Tyrone had already lived a life filled with strength and resilience. He survived a stroke. He battled stomach cancer. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, dementia came. It slowly crept in, stealing bits and pieces of him. Our conversations, which once came so easily, began to fade. The words became harder to find, and the man I knew began to slip away.
There were days when he hardly spoke. Days when I wasn’t sure he even recognized me. I kept showing up anyway. I helped him through his routines, sat with him during long, quiet afternoons, and reminded him with my presence that he wasn’t alone. Some moments tested every part of me, physically and emotionally. Some days I felt invisible, exhausted, and unsure if anything I was doing even registered.
In one rare moment of clarity, he looked at me and said, “THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF ME.”
That was it. Just one sentence. But it felt like the whole world stopped. I could feel the meaning in those words. It was as if, for a brief moment, all the fog lifted and he saw me. Saw me. All the hours, all the effort, all the love I had poured into his care were acknowledged in that one sentence. And it meant everything.
– Ursula Garcia Mayes
That’s exactly what that moment did for me. It gave me strength. It reminded me why I was showing up every day, even when it was hard. It wasn’t just about helping with medications or meals. It was about honoring the man who had loved my mother, about holding space for someone I cared for deeply, about family and presence and love that doesn’t give up.
Caregiving asks a lot. It stretches your limits. It can be quiet and lonely, and it often goes unseen. But those rare, powerful moments of connection- those are the ones that stay with you. They are the reminders that love is still there, even when words are few. That you’re making a difference, even when it’s hard to see. That showing up matters more than anything else.
That moment with Tyrone lives in my heart. It was a gift. And it continues to carry me forward, reminding me that caregiving, while challenging, is one of the most sacred acts of love I’ve ever known.
Ursulá Garcia-Mayes is an advocate and caregiver with a deep passion for supporting others on their caregiving journeys. With years of experience providing care for multiple loved ones, including her grandmother, mother, bonus dad, and biological fathers, she understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of caregiving. She is certified to facilitate evidence-based programs in caregiving and self-care and is committed to educating and empowering caregivers in communities, ministries, and organizations.
Discover further wisdom from industry experts by exploring our curated collection of knowledge.
