There is nothing like motherhood. There is no school on earth like it. Everyone chooses a different method, priorities and learns life long lessons. It has been 18 years since I began on the most amazing journey and have learned more then I possibly thought I could have. I guess that is the beauty of life if you are really living and interacting with those around you, you never stop learning.
Having children with disabilities really makes you recognize somethings in a different way that others may take for granted. It also makes you want to celebrate your child's accomplishments all that much more. My son is about to graduate on May 24th in Manhattan, Kansas. He is an amazing son. So blessed by all he has taught me and I hope that I have been able to give him the security of knowing I'll always be there for him and those who come into his life. It has been a truly amazing journey. If I think back through 18 years I think of his smiling face and all he has learned and who he has grown into. I am so proud of him and so excited to see where he travels from here.
My husband works hard at his job which enables me to stay home with our children. This is no easy task and he loves our kids dearly. He has a very special connection with each and I can only imagine he has his very own distinct view of fatherhood. Thank you for being their for our son. He is amazing and I am so grateful we can celebrate our son together. Love you!
We have always lived at a great distance from extended family. This makes connections sometimes difficult to create, but I am so grateful for our family that has year after year gone above and beyond to be there on a regular basis for my son. We lost my father-in-law in October of 2014, but I know on his yearly visits he gave each of the kids some very precious gifts. His time, attention, love, and interest in their interests. My father-in-law always wanted to know about the kids, the ups and downs and everything in between. My grandmothers have always remembered his birthdays, Christmas, have phone conversations with him and we have been blessed by very special visits. Thank you to his Great Aunts, Great Uncles, Cousins that have gotten to know him over the years during times of celebration as well as losses and have always made the most of getting to know and love him. Thank you so much dear friends, doctors and countless others who have made our daily journey so much less overwhelming. All are a blessing and so appreciated.
When it comes to my oldest an incredible thank you goes out to my Dad. My son looks up to him so much. It is so nice to see the kids be so at ease and so much of themselves with my parents. My oldest and my dad have so many common interests. Whether it is talking games, SciFi or Dr. Who my Dad and my son will always have a very special bond. Seeing them together is truly indescribable. My dad has been fighting so hard to beat this awful cancer and I have been praying and praying for him. I know my son has been on pins and needles too. I think by the time most arrive at my age we see a little clearer and for the most part joke off the missteps our parents made and a big thank you and a lot of love is what resides. There is something very special though when you are grateful for the love and connections your parents have made with your children.
In the beginning of this journey I was scared not knowing how to handle one piece of news after another. I think especially my parents have been on this educational journey with me. My misstep was for some reason expecting someone to say some magical words that would make this less scary. Their misstep was probably for trying too. In the end life happens, if you are smart you grow and learn. If you are blessed you have an open heart void of grudges, nastiness and you find much more inner strength then you knew you had. You know your heart and dreams, you follow them and give everything you can and that fills you in return. So blessed to know my heart and have followed my dreams.
My son has overcome so many obstacles, I could not be prouder. He is an incredible man. I have been blessed to go from carrying him in my arms as his mother to being his mother/teacher/friend and now his adulthood relationships begin. I am simply so incredibly grateful, proud and excited to see where he makes his path. So the planning of my next job is half done. This task is giving my son a celebration filled with all the people that have been so important in his life, to celebrate who he is and to let him know we will always be their for him as life throws him everything from curve balls to roses and he continues on his path. SO proud of WHO YOU ARE my son!!!!!!
