Every so often, I come across a story that speaks so deeply to the heart of caregiving that I can’t help but share it. Recently, I read a moving reflection about a couple navigating life with their son, Jack, a young man with autism who is learning to step into adulthood.
The story began with a phone call — Jack had run out of money for the week. He was upset. His father reminded him about budgeting and keeping receipts. His mother sat quietly, resisting the urge to jump in and rescue. When the call ended, husband and wife argued, not only about money, but about all the unspoken weight that caregiving often carries: responsibility, fear of the future, and the lifelong tension between wanting to push and wanting to protect.
What struck me most was how real it felt. This is marriage in the context of caregiving. This is parenting when autism is no longer “cute and quirky.” This is the reality so many families face: dating apps, budgeting, loneliness, sexuality, and the question that keeps so many parents awake at night — what will happen when we’re no longer here?
And yet, this story didn’t end in despair. The very next day, Jack called back — with a plan, a spreadsheet, and a list of expenses. He’s learning, slowly, because his parents have been there all along, guiding him in both the ordinary and extraordinary lessons of life.
This is caregiving. It’s messy. It’s exhausting. It’s filled with disagreements, small victories, and a love that keeps showing up even when the way forward feels unclear.
I share this story because it’s a reminder: caregiving doesn’t end when childhood does. For many families, it stretches into adulthood — and with it come new challenges, new fears, and yes, new triumphs.
To every caregiver navigating the uncharted waters of adulthood with a child who still needs support: you are not alone. Your love, your persistence, and even your disagreements are shaping the path forward.
Because caregiving isn’t perfect. It’s real. And in that realness lies the beauty.
