Deep Breath, there is so much to be thankful for

It would be easy and probably forgivable if I allowed myself to stay in the pity party mode with all that has been going on with Bridget lately.

Those that know me, know that I set a timer on those moments, because there is way too much to celebrate. Even on the days when what I may be celebrating is that I realized my shirt was on inside out before I left the house and not midway through the workday (true story).

With the end of Summer this weekend (where did summer go!), instead of remembering that this summer was full of really hard moments, I am going to celebrate the best moments that happened in between all the crap ones.

My eldest used us as a pit stop on her way to India and a trip of her lifetime to start the summer off. We hadn’t seen her since Christmas and let’s just say someone was very happy to see her.
In all the craziness of catatonia, we found a new team of Doctors who meet with us once a week via video and explains things in a way that makes sense. They don’t talk at us but with us and truly care about improving Bridget’s quality of life.
An unexpected phone call from a researcher who is studying effect of PACS1 on the brain and learning that not only has he not stopped studying PACS one, but research is also continuing by others across the States.
That my office has been supportive and helpful with all the expected and unexpected time off for Bridget appointments. Bonus: they never judged when I took a “me day”
Friends that check in, friends that have been there when they can and accept when I cannot be there.
That my mom still goes to Barry Manilow concerts and dances like a teenager.
Pinot Grigio.
Our annual camping trip in the land without WIFI or Cell Service. I was so nervous about how Bridget would do. There were low moments, there were moments where she was not herself balanced with moments in the pool (her happy place) and the campfire where she was the girl I remembered from summers past. That we were surrounded by friends that said there are no words, but they are always here for us.
While we have not been able to do date nights, we have a firepit. Our backyard escape has been where we can reconnect and remember that throughout it all, we are a couple first and Bridget’s parents second.
That while summer might be ending this weekend, there is still time for moments like this: