When health challenges arise, whether caring for an aging parent, supporting a partner, or facing personal illness—desire often shifts in profound ways. Priorities change almost overnight, reshaping how we experience and relate to desire itself.

In this episode, Brenda and Catherine share personal stories and reflections on caregiving, illness, and the transformation of desire during these seasons of life.

Brenda speaks about her time caring for her mother, grandmother, and father, and how her desire became rooted in simply being present with them. She reflects on the tension between wanting to give everything and recognizing her own limits, along with the guilt of not always being the “perfect daughter.”

Catherine recalls the vulnerability of receiving care after surgery, including the discomfort of relying on others when she could not give back. Together, they explore how care, whether given or received, creates opportunities for deeper connection, honesty, and grace.

They also speak to the intimate presence of grief during caregiving. As Brenda shares, “Grief is in the room, and the grief is the love.” Grief, while painful, also opens the heart to profound meaning and intimacy.

At its heart, this episode is about the gifts that emerge when life slows down to essentials. In returning to basics, we discover resilience, community, and the surprising ways love reveals itself.

Episode Highlights:
• Desire shifts toward basic needs when health is the focus
• Self-care is essential when supporting loved ones
• Setting boundaries is necessary, even in caregiving
• Asking for help builds community and allows unexpected gifts
• Grief accompanies caregiving yet opens the heart to connection
• Life and death rarely unfold according to expectations
• Joy and beauty can be found even in difficult caregiving moments

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Email Us:
desireasmedicine@gmail.com
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