Yet with a steady beat - African american reflections on seasons of caregiving

African American caregiving crosses the lifespan. While there is no one experience of caregiving, there are shared feelings that emerge that form a bond among caregivers. The reflections that appear in this chapter acquaint the readers with the varying caregiver perspectives and their voices provide context for the preceding chapters in this book. Caregiving is often described in literature in terms of burden and benefit--this chapter reflects both. Additionally, readers will be immediately drawn to the themes of strengths and resilience of African Americans related to their experience with caregiving. The contributors share experiences about caring for parents, grandparents, and children. Additionally, the authors present the realities related to caregiving around various life challenges including dementia, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and heart disease. The well-being of the care givers and care receivers is intertwined and provides added insight to topics such as health and mental health that are addressed in the book. Other narratives explore intergenerational aspects of caregiving and emphasize generativity. The narrators have a 50 year age span--ranging in age from mid-twenties to mid-seventies. They include males and females. Through reading this chapter, the various theories presented in the book chapters emerge in a powerful manner. Each story is unique and collectively they create a rhythm that connects the seasons of caregiving experienced by African American families.