Navigating Emotional Overwhelm
The best thing I have done for my overall health is to learn how to manage my stress. In fact, I searched for a medical practitioner who didn't tell me "not to stress" but to learn techniques to help manage it instead. (My search took me more years and money than what...
Diagnosis Flashback – Graduation Style
My youngest experienced our school district’s wonderful tradition for graduating seniors yesterday. The graduating seniors return to their elementary schools and do a “Senior Walk.” The littles love to see them, and the teachers do as well.
Graduation week is always emotional; it always is. It was touching when my oldest graduated, so I was prepared.
Or so I thought.
The Heart of a Warrior
T.J. had his semiannual Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy clinic visit on Monday. His heart and lung functions are holding steady. He is doing great in other areas as well. He is learning to navigate his own complex medical needs.
Diagnosis Day Anniversaries – All The Feels
Today marks the 11th anniversary of our son’s diagnosis. I thought it would softly & quietly drift by like it has the past few years, but it hasn’t. I have felt this day creeping up on me slowly & calculatingly. Honestly, it’s been confusing because the past few years have been anticlimactic.
Happy Adulting Day! TJ turns 18.
Today, my youngest son TJ turns 18. First, join me in wishing T.J. the best birthday yet and welcome him to the world of adulting. Honestly, though, every birthday is emotional - this one more than any other to date. I remember crying when my oldest @connorclime...
Ten Lessons Learned as a Mom of a Medically Complex Child
Ten years ago today changed our lives forever. I'd love to say that the pain & confusion seem like a distant & fuzzy memory, but that's not the case. February 8th is a day that no longer causes me intense pain; instead, I choose to feel, reflect, and release....
Fear Is Not Weakness
Fear is not a sign of weakness. It simply means you’re human, and lousy stuff is goin’ down in your life. It’s okay to fear. To feel fear is normal and, dare I say, it’s healthy at times. It happens to everyone. Every. Single. Person. How you deal with that fear is...
When hurting, what do our children need most?
There are days that just stink. Period. Some days there are a ton of reasons why your day skids out of control; while other days there is simply no explanation. I know there are times when nothing, short of going to bed and starting over, will make it better. Others...
When we don’t handle a meltdown well (theirs or ours).
Yesterday was brutal. On the heels of the beautiful moment holding hands with my son at the hospital (click here or here for Wednesday's social media post), came yesterday with gut-wrenching ‘I hate you’s and ‘Leave me alone’s being thrown around. It came with tears...
Around the Corner
When I was a little girl, my dad’s favorite evening pastime was to scare my sister and me. My sister loved it but oh how I hated it. My sister and I developed a sixth sense about it though. We could almost feel when he was hiding. My sister would slowly creep to the...
When the fear is here to stay – what do we do then?!
What is fear? Is fear good or bad? Is fear helpful or harmful? Fear’s purpose is to alert us to the presence of danger or a threat of personal harm - be it physical or psychological. If fear is serving its elemental purpose, it’s a good thing. Right? Once we’re...
Sacred Suffering
The definition of suffering is “the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.” The definition of suffering is NOT “the state of mentally berating yourself for not being as strong as you think you should be.” Suffering, pain, distress, and hardship come no...