By Pat LaPointe

Mom passed away on September 11, 2008. For over a month, I sat beside her in the ICU. During the day, I cared for my father, who had dementia, evenings and overnight. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.

My husband saw the toll the month’s responsibilities had taken on me and scheduled a relaxing trip to the Oregon coast. For the first few days, I just sat for hours staring at the water. On the third day, he finally convinced me to check out the cozy little town.

My first stop was at a boutique showcasing some attractive apparel, items I would usually not seek out.

I was greeted by two smiling middle-aged women. I think they could sense my unease. One woman came over and put her hand gently on my shoulder while the other began showing me blouses she thought would “look great on you”. The caring gestures almost brought tears to my eyes.

These women continued to bring me clothes I would never have chosen. When I said I didn’t think the items were my “type,” they responded that maybe it was time for a change.

They had struck a raw emotional nerve. Tears flowed as I told them about the stress of the last few months. As they hugged me, I also believed I needed a change.

I had been caring for others for so long but without much support. The comfort these women gave me felt like the nurturing a mother would bestow on her child. It was the beginning of my focus on my own needs, a time for a change.

©  2023 Patricia LaPointe

Pat LaPointe, creator of Share Your Voice, an online interactive community for all women. She is editor of the anthology; The Woman I’ve Become: 37 Women Share Their Journeys from Toxic Relationships to Self-Empowerment. In addition, she has conducted writing workshops for women — both online and onsite. Pat’s essays and short stories have been published widely in anthologies, literary journals and on Medium.com @patromitolapointe. Currently, Pat is completing her first novel.