Last summer ended with Bridget dancing on the beach. It was a hard fought victory for her to overcome her fear of the beach. A video I personally never tire of (sorry if you have!) watching:
Last year we never got her shoes off or for her to actually touch the sand on her own. The accomplishment was her walking on the beach (or dancing) or sitting in my lap as the waves rolled by us. Continue reading
A fellow blogger, Jamie, did a recent post entitled “if we were having coffee”, what would she say to the person across the table. I thought it was a great idea, but I don’t drink coffee. Thus the change in title.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell you about the hectic weekend we had moving my parents moving from Virginia to our home. That we left at 3am on Friday for Logan airport, flew down and packed up her house. That we left VA at noon on Saturday and everyone in the free world was on Route 95 so it took us until 4am to get home. That it was only possible to do her move because we have a great village of supporters who took care of the girls, the bunnies and the Bailey. How much I appreciate the gift of friendship and families. How glad I am that both our parents will be in close location of their granddaughters and the positive changes happening in their lives.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell you how I seem to be on a World War II reading binge. In the past month I have read The Nightingale, Unbroken, The Heart of a Soldier, I Lived a Thousand Years: Growing Up in the Holocaust and am just beginning Escape from Davao. I would ask if you had any recommendations for maybe a lighter read.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell you how excited I was to be leaving in a few days to go camping with our friends. Our annual retreat where there is no WI/FI or cell service. The one week a year where we completely unplug from the world. How we were looking forward to floating down the river, campfires and community meals. That I would be using this time to hopefully break the Facebook obsession that is taking too much time away from actually living life.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell you how I am currently failing in my running goals but that I hope to get back up to speed and dedication soon.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell you how I feel the summer is slipping by faster than I can breathe. That while we have traveled and taken vacations it seems like September is coming faster than expected.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell how nervous I am about all I have taken on recently. That I am worried I am doing too much, yet not enough. I would ask you where you thought I could extradite myself from or how to manage my commitments better.
If we were having a glass of wine I would tell you about how David has been working too much and we recently had a conversation based on the Zac Brown song, Free. How that someday we want that life. The one where it is just him and I in a van traveling the country. How before marriage, “real” jobs and family we would put the tent and dog in the car destination unknown. That we want to get back to that feeling of just being us, no qualifiers. That I miss that connection of my husband and yet am thankful that after all these years we still wake up and want to be there for the other.
If we were having a glass of wine I would ask how your week was and what was new with you.
So tell me, how are you?
Part of Bridget’s program at school involves monthly workshops. An afternoon every month where all of her educational support personnel, the head of her SPED program, her preschool teacher, speech therapist and occupational therapist meet and go over every one of Bridget’s programs. Parents are encouraged to attend so we can follow through with the therapies at home. It also is a time for them to learn what behavior we are seeing at home and vice versa. Continue reading
I remember the first time we realized something was “wrong” with Bridget. At just a day old we thought it was just a health complication. One that would resolve. Less than a year later after more doctor appointments than I can recall we were given the news:
Your child has Special Needs. Continue reading
This morning started bright and early. Bridget crawled into bed with me at 4:30 am. As she snuggled against my back I thought to myself, this is life. To have Bridget wake up and just crawl into my bed. All mornings should begin this way. Well, maybe begin after the sun has risen would be nicer.
The alarm sounds and my feet hit the floor as I begin the morning routine and then something went horribly wrong… Continue reading
A few weeks ago at BlogHer 15 I was invited to be on a panel discussing the importance of sharing our journeys. I was honored to be asked by Care to the People to participate as I firmly believe our life has been made easier by sharing our “healing stories”.
I was on the panel with Sara of Stigma Fighters, Emily of Words I Wheel By and Angelle of Chemo Beanies. Three extraordinary women who show the strength and will to keep sharing their stories to heal themselves and others.
Thank you to Melody and the Care to the People team. It was a pleasure to meet all of you, answer your questions and share my healing story.
Random thoughts on after a long car ride…
Ever notice that some men have 7 personalities?
Sleepy (on the couch at 7p)
Doc (thinks he knows everything)
Bashful (cannot go to the grocery store alone)
Sneezy (if there is a cold within a 7mile radius he has it)
Grumpy (when they don’t get their own way)
Happy (when not Grumpy)
Last but not least… Dopey (enough said!).
Of course not my husband….
Have a great day everyone!
Today I am so thankful to be featured on the Care Giver Space regarding the difficult process of deciding what would happen to Bridget should something happen to David or I.
Wil Freaking Wheaton just lost the freaking. Can you believe he did not show to the VOTY award ceremony? To quote Sheldon Cooper: CURSE YOU WIL WHEATON! Although he was not there the weekend was still a success. Continue reading
On May 9, 2015 under the care, thoughtfulness and support of our Directors (Phyillis Kim, Jessica Woodbury and Cheryl Stober) eleven woman stood up at the Old South Church in Boston, MA and told their stories.
It is surreal seeing myself in video. That is not what I look/sound like when I think of myself. The awkward foot posture? That is all me! So deep breath, here I go….
Thank you to the friends who came and supported me that day. Thank you to those who could not attend but showed me your love and support. Thank you to Listen to Your Mother, BlogHer and SheKnows Media for the opportunity to participate. This is all so surreal to me. I am still in awe that LTYM has happened.I could not have done it with out all of you.
Especially my cast mates. I never imagined I would walk away from LTYM having met some of the most fantastic, courageous women on Earth. Thank you for everything you did that day (including helping me open up a lipstick).
(Un)Diagnosed and still okay 