When I say desert, what comes to your mind? Perhaps the brilliant stars, the bursting colors, or the brisk, cool evening air that brings relief from the day’s heat. Such thoughts refer to physical deserts, but I’m thinking of the periods in our lives that leave us feeling desperate, disillusioned, and dry. Desert seasons lack sparkling stars and brilliant colors, don’t they? Some of you have … [Read more...]
Free To Be
Mother's Day 2012. At our annual lunch celebration, I sat with my niece Jessica and my son Jon. Jessica, only a few months younger than Jon, looked absolutely stunning. Full of life and intellectually gifted, she carries a joyful wonder about life that is so delightful. As I watched her, I began to recall the days and weeks and years she and Jon played together. Over time, Jon’s challenges caused … [Read more...]
Somewhere Down The Road
Silence has become a friend of mine. But it wasn’t always that way. In case you haven’t noticed, stress can generate a massive amount of noise. Trying to wrap your hands around spilling grief is like trying to catch a roaring waterfall with tissues—there could never be enough to dry it up, but my heart has shaken as I’ve tried. My mind has boomed as I’ve scoured books and resources looking for … [Read more...]
Thick Glass
One of the realities of raising a neurologically disabled child is what I call “thick glass.” Thick glass is the clear yet mostly impenetrable divider between a parent’s unconditional love for his or her child and the child’s seeming total lack of response—that disheartening vacant look. Parents grieve behind thick glass, ever longing to touch their child’s heart yet wondering if their reach gets … [Read more...]
From Lonely To Living Again
“I feel so lonely”… my son just told me yesterday on the way home from school. He is currently 15 … AND A HALF (I am told to mention). From birth, I knew something wasn’t "right." He was diagnosed at 18 months with severe asthma and allergies, digestive complications, developmental delay, and immune system abnormalities. We almost lost him more than once. Then at three, Jon was diagnosed with … [Read more...]