Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Life is Good

In the midst of planning for holidays and rsvp'ing for birthday parties, I admit that I've been stressed. We're also trying to implement a special and very strict diet in the hopes that it will help Kate's issues in regards to language, lack of eye-contact, and her obsessive preoccupation with books. I've been feeling frustrated, tired and overwhelmed -- you know how it gets. We all feel it sometimes.

Fortunately, though, there are so many reminders of the sheer beauty in life, like this post on a blog that I read regularly:

http://micropreemietwins.blogspot.com/2007/11/fashion-show-speech.html

Jump on over and check it out. My favorite part:

I am not a person who believes that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes bad things just happen. What I DO believe, is that when bad things happen, we can become better people because of them. We can learn and grow from them. We can take the negativity and turn it into something positive. I am a better person because of my kids and what have gone through following their traumatic birth. I do not take life for granted. I don’t sweat the small stuff. I have learned to appreciate every step of progress they make, no matter how small it may seem. I am better able to support people who are going through similar circumstances. I am more compassionate, and a better advocate for my children’s needs than I may have been otherwise.

And I will tell you, that although we get frustrated (very, very frustrated) in dealing with Kate's issues, we also feel extremely privileged to parent a child who is not neuro-typical. Kate teaches us things that we firmly believe no other child would or could. She's got a direct line to God's joy and although we wish things were easier, we can't imagine that they would be better.

6 comments:

Karen BeTheChange said...

Hugs, honey. I'm sorry it's so rough. I'm anxious to hear how the dietary changes are (or aren't) helping Kate. Hopefully you'll see good results. Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for, don't we?!

Patricia said...

Beautiful post, Melissa!! I love your positive attitude...very inspiring!!

Let me know how the diet works...my nephew has autism & has been on a strict diet which has helped! Prayers & HUGS!!!
Patricia/NYC

Patricia said...

OH!! ANd if you have a minute, please stop by & visit (www.hiphiphubei.blogspot.com)...

Miss you!

Snowflowers Mum said...

Hi melissa..

I was a baby nanny for preemies and multiples so I have spent many years with nervous families nurturing their little ones to health. Thanks for the link.

I'd be very ineterested in your Muzzy set. please email me with how much you'd like for it!

Hayley

Anonymous said...

Melissa & Scott - Just wanted to say we are thinking of you and miss you. I recently got the LWB book and was finally starting to thumb through the pages when who should I find but the beautiful Kate.

All the Best for each of you, including Addison - Stacy, Bruce and Melissa.

Anonymous said...

What a heart warming post.
You have a way of handeling things that just amaze me.
give katie a big hug from opa and we will see you in Jan.
love
opa grady