When my father became ill, as the eldest daughter, I took on the role of project manager. Doctor appointments, medications, diet, dealing with authorities, and medical records. Together, we also planned his funeral, and I plucked up the courage to ask for one last piece of advice to take with me into a future where we would no longer see each other.
In my lecture, I talk about the grief, responsibility, and loneliness that many young relatives carry but rarely put into words. About how easy it is to put your own life on hold when someone you love becomes ill, and the importance of feeling all your emotions and facing all your thoughts.
Above all, the importance of daring to talk about what hurts so much.
