Yesterday I uttered two words I have never said side by side in the same sentence: “Good IEP.” In all my years as a special needs mother, those two words are about as unlikely a duo as, “happy hemorrhoid” or “joyful jogging.” But there it was. My response to my husband’s query about our 20-year-old’s annual IEP review. “It was good,” I repeated, still amazed these words had managed to come … [Read more...]
The Sacrament of Letting Go
Do you ever throw yourself a pity party? You know, one of those parties where you’re the only one who shows up? When you’re all by yourself, down in the dumps, knowing absolutely no one can possibly relate to your life situation? I had a day like that last Sunday. Feeling sorry for myself is easy on gloomy days when I can’t get to church for the 5th week in a row because my son Joel, who has … [Read more...]
Life Lessons From Marathon Training
You remember that I said I ran a marathon after going through cancer treatment? I had always wanted to do so but had not pursued it because I am "not athletic." Well, after going through treatment 8 years ago I decided to pursue it, even if I failed. To fail in pursuit of a dream was o.k. with me. To fail to pursue it, however, was not. I realized during training there were so many life lessons … [Read more...]
Pamper YOUR Marriage!
We might want a week away but need to settle for three hours. We might need a week away, but have to settle for a cup of coffee at the corner cafe! We might want a trip to Europe but need to be content with an overnight stay in an adjacent city. We need to find ways that will work practically and financially. As caregivers we’re on call 24/7 – and getting away without interruption rarely … [Read more...]
When Cancer Comes Calling
An uninvited guest showed up at my door ten weeks ago. Its name? Endometrial cancer. Every time I sit down to write about this unwelcome guest my brain turns to cotton candy, words get stuck in the gummy mess, and a blinking cursor on the computer screen sings nah-nah-nah-nah-nah. My brain may feel like cotton candy, but at the soul level substantial work is … [Read more...]
Are You There God?
Often times when things are going good we don’t talk to God as much, but when things start to crumble we look to Him and often ask “why” or “how come.” My journey through life in my 46 years so far has had some ups, downs, curves, twists, turns, and sometimes sharp drops out of nowhere. I grew up primarily in a divorced home with 2 parents that were struggling in their own right. Before age … [Read more...]