February is National Caregiving Month. What better time to recognize selfless love and caring for individuals and animals than during the “love” month.

According to Nautilus Senior Home Care, caregiving “is a noble and selfless act that involves providing care and support to individuals who are unable to fully care for themselves.” A friend of mine, Harold Parker, says “caregiving is an attitude.” Well said, Harold. My husband Terry and I learned how important attitude is while caregiving in various ways for both sets of our parents over a 12-year period.

In assessing our experiences, Terry reflected that caregiving is done “out of respect for those who cared and provided for you. It’s like finishing the life cycle.” Finishing “the life cycle” involved a myriad of experiences and learning curves, which taught us compassion, patience, subtlety, gentleness, tenacity and how to handle out-of-our-comfort-zone moments.

We were not alone. According to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, there are “105 million caregivers in the U.S. who are currently caregiving for someone who is aging, ill or disabled. … Everyone in their lifetime will receive or give care.”

Terry and I would not have done this together without the Lord calling us to the task out of our deep love for our parents and for one another. Our theme was Galatians 6:9, which says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” The Rosalynn Carter Institute wants family caregivers to do more than just try to keep up. They want them to thrive.

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Farmers also are caretakers of their livestock. The animals provide things that provide for you. We participate in our livestock’s “life cycle” moments and survive the free-for-alls in the barns and pastures.

Whether for humans or animals, be prepared to thrive when you’re called to stretch your love by leaps and bounds.