The title of this post is the subject line of the email I just received from my caregiver’s support organization. To which I say “whuuuuu?”

And even if I believed that, is this really good news, having seen the ravages of old age, really close up?

Don’t get me wrong, I got — and continue to get — a lot out of the caregiving experience. I am very happy that my stepdad is regaining his good physical health after his horrific autumn of accidents and illnesses and setbacks. I can say this, even after the emergency room visits, the vomit upon me, my tears and anger and self-pity.

Even after feeling incredibly uncharitable thoughts about the broken system, about the burden of the old, even about him.

I get a lot out of this. Especially since I’ve logged 3.5+ years and I can absolutely say I’m an expert and a grizzled veteran.

As I see a lot of my friends having to deal with these situations with their elders for the first time, I am happy that I’m done with the firsts. And that my impatience has lessened, and that many hurdles have already been jumped.

To mangle a 12-step phrase, I couldn’t see my progress with all this until I could look back at my footprints. Especially looking back to the darkest time, in January.

Now that I think about it, this post should be called “The Vomit Upon Me.”