It Gets Better...
The beautiful views from this part of the country,
The issues we struggle with,
Life!
Thank you so much for your comments and e-mails about my post yesterday:
Learning With and For Our Children...This Mother's Beginning Steps in Learning About OCD
It can be hard enough when we tell our own stories of struggle and growth but it can be even harder telling the stories from our life that involve our children and their struggles. The biggest part of me wants to keep these stories to myself. Partly to protect my kids and keep their personal struggles private but more because it is just difficult to share something that is so personally painful. Seeing our kids have a difficult time in life is hard. Period. And often, we can feel alone. Embarrassed even. It's easy to feel like we did something wrong as a parent even though we know better when it comes to certain things like OCD. Our struggles and personal frustrations in seeing our kids hurt is huge to us as parents no matter how small of an issue it is in comparison to the grand scheme of life. Somebody always has it far worse than we do. Yes. But I've learned to recognize these painful parts of my life as just as important...because they are important to me... they are part of My Story. I'm almost always glad when I share it because more often than not, there is someone else out there that is dealing with the same or similar things and it is so nice to know we aren't alone. I'm glad I decided to write about this topic and I will continue to share more as it comes. So much to learn in life! Thankful for the mind and resources to do so.
Today proved to be one of healing and rejuvenation! We were so blessed with an opportunity to drop our kids off with a friend and take off for the beautiful Appalachian Trail right outside of Hot Springs, North Carolina at Max Patch. Wow! After a trail run, picnic on a hilltop, and a beer and burger in the small town of Hot Springs, my husband surprised me with a visit to the Hot Springs Spa for a private soak in a mineral bath. The stress just melted off today. THANKFUL!
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| I can think of nobody else I'd rather take on life with! I love him! |
Two videos. Fist one from on top of of the Max Patch crest. The second one is from down in the forest. So glad I didn't offer my sandwich to the hikers from Illinois. That would have been awkward. Ha!
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| Driving here after our run was a pleasant surprise! |
Amanda
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I LOVE how happy you are:) More in an email, love you!
ReplyDeleteLove you too AM!
DeleteLoving these gorgeous pictures and the many kisses, warms my heart! Sharing running with your husband is so special...especially trail running!!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, my heart goes out to you regarding your son. I read and reread your post below and can relate with your fears, frustrations and insights! As a teacher, these behaviors aren't uncommon but I know it's much more difficult on the families of these little kiddos. BIG hugs to you, your on is fortunate to have proactive parents!!
Thanks Meg. Good to hear from you. Thanks for your words. Again, so nice to read your post today and see you doing so well!
DeleteHow wonderful! You're so right. The hardest parts of our stories are the ones that connect us the most with others. It feels wrong to share those parts of our stories, but it's often the most healing and helpful and human thing we can do. I'm not a parent yet but even I find it helpful to see how parents like you handle being parents in tough situations.
ReplyDeleteSo so true. Good words here. Thank you.
DeleteI was out of town and missed yesterday's post. Heading there now... Just generally, though, while I try to balance honesty and openness with a respect for my kids' privacy, I think it IS a balance and that there's so much value and authenticity in sharing our struggles, letting others know they're not alone and giving others the chance to share helpful information with us.
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures!
Ah, thanks Kate. Appreciate your wisdom here.
DeleteWhat great shots! Enjoy!
ReplyDeletethanks!
DeleteI went back and read your post from yesterday. And, oh man, how I can relate. We've recently been dealing some moderate to severe anxiety issues with Kaylee. She's always been scared and nervous and shy, but recently things started getting (or feeling) out of control. Like she couldn't fall asleep without me in the room (and she's 6). She'd have a complete panic attack if she woke up and I wasn't there. She didn't want to go to school. She cried everyday I dropped her off. It was so stressful, and I felt so helpless. I did a lot reading, and we've been using an audio program that was designed for kids 6-12 called "Turnaround: Turning Fear into Freedom", and I have to say that now most of the time things are normal. She loves school again and goes without crying. We still have some trouble with sleep, but things are million times better. I am so grateful that there are so many awesome resources out there. And I'm glad you're having a good day! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Katie. Thank you so so much for your comment here. Comforting to hear other people's stories like this. Thinking of you and your sweet Kaylee...so hard to see our kids struggle. Glad to hear that things are better. And yes, on the resources!! So thankful for that.
DeleteHow wonderful to get to run with your hubby. Looks like it was a glorious day.
ReplyDeleteSo glorious! I'm soaking up as many glorious days as I can get before winter sets in. And always a treat to run with my hubby.
DeleteSo I've been so busy with work and such that I've fallen behind on the blogesphere. Then income across these past two posts. During trying times these always beauty, and sounds like y' all are doing a great job.bpositive thought
ReplyDeleteThanks Adrienne. Good to hear from you.
DeleteI totally get how hard it is to share when your kids are struggling. You know a bit about my son's struggle with depression and I've often wondered if I could have done more, somehow been a better Mum, picked up on it sooner so habits weren't so ingrained ... I felt like admitting it was a failure on my behalf. But putting it out there means getting support - not judgement. You're a fantastic Mum and Waylon's a terrific Dad and together you're an unbeatable team. Keep taking that important time together to look after yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Char. So good to hear from you here. Yes, I know how this has been hard on you. So glad you do share because you're right, we get support. Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement.
Deletewow! super jealous of your trail run. First, because I can't run right now and two, because the scenery is breathtaking. We probably won't have falling leaves and color changes until November if we are lucky. Last year, it came in early December.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty, your vulnerability, your sharing of your wounded and healing heart so that we may all be more compassionate with our own hearts. Your blog rocks. You rock. So, as little as it is, I am nominating you for the Sunshine Award: http://mapleleafkitchen.wordpress.com/2013/11/01/a-little-sunshine/ Power to you, sister--sending mama hugs from afar.
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