Dear Addie,
Trust the process;
Give it time;
Have patience;
Embrace the journey;
These are things we all tell ourselves when we think life doesn’t seem to be going along as it should. When we ask all the “whys” in life. When things seem extra tough, or when something we thought we had all but figured suddenly begins crumbling to pieces. These are also things special needs families like ours tell themselves sometimes daily about almost everything. These moments can feel somewhat stagnate and defeating, and that's when we need to listen the most...
Trust the process;
Give it time;
Have patience;
Embrace the journey.
Just about everything, except for maybe things that involved walking, running, or climbing to heights and in situations that could give mama a heart attack - those things seem to come with ease for you but I digress… a lot of our everyday functions like communication, to basic life skills have been a struggle. There have been more than a couple of times that I’ve even thought maybe this isn’t going to be our thing and we should just move on. I can honestly say in those moments it doesn’t feel like giving up but picking and choosing our battles rather - or at least I tell myself that to somehow save face in feeling like I’ve failed you. I know, people say that’s ridiculous to think such a thing but there’s more than a fair share of emotions that rolls through this parenting thing I tell ya!
The process can feel long, time very still, patience tested, & the journey dim, but if we listen to our reminders we’ll see the light.
For as long as I can remember you’ve loved the water. The ocean, the pool, the bathtub - water is your sensory heaven, so it was only natural that early on we attempted swim lessons to keep you safe. Seemed like the right and easy thing to do at the time. Well somewhere close to 10 years of lessons on and off and still nowhere near being able to swim had defeat creeping in on me - until recently when we bought this old house in the woods with an old 80’s style 4ft lap pool in it.
With a pool so shallow and you so tall, we've felt comfortable just sitting on the side (ready to help obviously if necessary) while you splashed about - what I didn’t expect is you would start actually swimming!!!!!! It's true! Nobody telling you to "kick kick kick", or "move your arms" or someone invading your space - just you & a pool left to figure it out and you were swimming - and floating might I add ;) I'm still in awe of it all.
Addie, you teach me so much every single day and your right life is not meant to be a sprint - I need to remind myself of that often, I’d much rather take a leisurely walk with you any day - besides I’ve never been one for running ;)
Look out Michael Phelps, here comes Addie!
So proud of you baby girl!
Love,
Mom
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