For those of you with a son or daughter who requires 24-hour care, you know exactly what I'm going to talk about. It is something that those outside of this demographic take for granted. It is something called "privacy". We have very little of it in our world given all of the caregivers in Ben’s world. Without question, these important team members have helped to lighten our load and give Ben a … [Read more...]
Walking By Faith
A few weeks ago, we attended a friend’s wedding and had some time before the reception began. We drove by a park that I knew like the back of my hand. It was a place that only we knew, though it looked different now. It was a place where, on that warm and humid June evening more than three decades ago, my soul mate (Jan) and I swayed on those park swings. Planning our future together, forever. A … [Read more...]
Wrestling with Eeyore
“What do you think 2015 will be like?” Max’s tutor asked as we sat around the dinner table helping my son with conversation skills. I took a bite of dinner and sighed, “I hope it will be better than this year.” The room grew quiet. Did I say that aloud, I wondered? Was that my voice? I am the certified and licensed cheerleader of the house, the girl who was nicknamed “Smiley Emiley” in grade … [Read more...]
SO Much To Be Grateful For!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34, NIV ~ Sitting in a meeting with a local business owner, I found myself sharing with him what I share with everyone who seems to feel sorry for those of us raising children with special needs. We are SO blessed to be living at this point in time and in this country. We have SO much to be … [Read more...]
Go into Their World and Love Them Where They Are
I remember so vividly Alec's difficult toddler days. My son had less than a handful of words. The days were a series of one tantrum after another. I was a stressed-out mother on the brink of a personal meltdown of my own. Oh, yes, I remember those days. I loved my son desperately, but hadn't a clue how to help him. I obsessively scoured every piece of advice I could find from any expert … [Read more...]
One New Habit That has Entirely Changed My Life
I've added one small habit to my day that has entirely changed my life. Seriously. No, it isn't jumping out of bed to do the latest 5 minute exercise fad. It isn't chugging down a veggie-packed juice recipe or learning to use the latest productivity app. Amazingly, it's so easy that I am asking myself why I didn't start doing this simple thing long ago. But how can one small thing—something … [Read more...]