Sunday Soul Balm: On Regret and the Caregiver’s Heart
Regret has a way of sneaking in when the noise quiets down. It shows up in the what-ifs, the choices replayed, the moments we wish we could do over. For many, it’s the late-night companion that won’t let sleep settle. But regret isn’t just about mistakes—it’s about love. We regret because we cared enough for something, or someone, to matter. And that tenderness, however heavy it feels, is proof of the depth of our humanity. Caregivers know this weight all too well. The responsibility of decisions—about treatments, living arrangements, or even a tone of voice on a hard day—can echo long after the moment has passed. Looking back, it’s easy to wonder: Did I do right by them? Could I have done more? The truth is, regret is the shadow side of devotion. It arrives because you showed up, because you carried more than most ever will. And while it may never fully disappear, it doesn’t have to define the story. What if regret became not a prison, but a reminder—to meet yourself with the...