Oh Being Happy readers. Thank you thank you and thank you. I can't express how touched and uplifted I was by the comments on my son's birthday post. I have to say I had a hard time writing this post. I didn't want to sugarcoat the hurts I feel, but I didn't want to blame my son for my hurts, either. It's not his fault. Well, trust me, some of the things he does to hurt my feelings ARE his fault. I mean, really, NO PIZZA BOXES UNDER THE BED. I also didn't want to bust him in front of friends or others that may know him and/or have friends or relatives reading this blog. Yeah, it could happen. AND, once something is on the internet it is there FOREVER. Yep, even the picture you took at your girlfriend's bachelorette party. Don't take pictures of your junk and put it on the internet. It's there forever. Anyway, the bottom line is, I wanted to be authentic and yet be kind. I wanted to write strictly from my point of view and not put any of the blame on him.
I really didn't expect to get many comments on this one, but I was wrong. In fact, I need to read them over and over and even respond to some of them. When I looked at them this weekend, it was a brief glance. And, yet, I got a bit choked up. Click. I shut them down. I wasn't able to celebrate and be choked up at the same time. I thank you all for being so encouraging to me. I thank you all for understanding the hurt of broken dreams. And I thank you for being able to remind me of the hope still out there and available for me. 24 is still young AND 24 is young when you have a developmental delay. Yes it is.
Many of you reminded me of the plans God has for him. I believe this is true. I believe God has plans for him and for me. And, I need to remember the plans for my son's future may include me. I don't have a crystal ball and I don't want to mix up the plans I have for my son and the plans God has for my son. They may not be the same. (insert laughter) Hard to believe, I know.
Many of you commiserated with tales of young adults in similar situations. I tell you "Thank You." It really does feel good to know I am not the only one with these feelings. I don't wish the hurt you have that may be similar to what I'm feeling, but it's good to know others are not only "getting through", but loving their adult children through this difficult situation.
And best of all, many of you could see the good, kind person my son is and you repeated it back to me. It was so sweet. And, possibly, the most uplifting thing I've had happen to me in a while. I don't hear sweet things about my son very often. Maybe I'm not listening. After reading the comments on this post and having them WRITTEN and available to read over and over, I couldn't dismiss them. I think I dismiss kind words said about my son too often. I'm going to stop doing this. I'm going to let every compliment I hear about him SOAK IN. Accepting compliments about myself has always been a challenge, but to disregard a compliment about my child is a crime. Thank you again for reading and COMMENTING. Your kind words of hope, strength and experience are changing me for the better.
I really didn't expect to get many comments on this one, but I was wrong. In fact, I need to read them over and over and even respond to some of them. When I looked at them this weekend, it was a brief glance. And, yet, I got a bit choked up. Click. I shut them down. I wasn't able to celebrate and be choked up at the same time. I thank you all for being so encouraging to me. I thank you all for understanding the hurt of broken dreams. And I thank you for being able to remind me of the hope still out there and available for me. 24 is still young AND 24 is young when you have a developmental delay. Yes it is.
Many of you reminded me of the plans God has for him. I believe this is true. I believe God has plans for him and for me. And, I need to remember the plans for my son's future may include me. I don't have a crystal ball and I don't want to mix up the plans I have for my son and the plans God has for my son. They may not be the same. (insert laughter) Hard to believe, I know.
Many of you commiserated with tales of young adults in similar situations. I tell you "Thank You." It really does feel good to know I am not the only one with these feelings. I don't wish the hurt you have that may be similar to what I'm feeling, but it's good to know others are not only "getting through", but loving their adult children through this difficult situation.
And best of all, many of you could see the good, kind person my son is and you repeated it back to me. It was so sweet. And, possibly, the most uplifting thing I've had happen to me in a while. I don't hear sweet things about my son very often. Maybe I'm not listening. After reading the comments on this post and having them WRITTEN and available to read over and over, I couldn't dismiss them. I think I dismiss kind words said about my son too often. I'm going to stop doing this. I'm going to let every compliment I hear about him SOAK IN. Accepting compliments about myself has always been a challenge, but to disregard a compliment about my child is a crime. Thank you again for reading and COMMENTING. Your kind words of hope, strength and experience are changing me for the better.
it is nice to know you are not alone...and it will get better...and he will find something...keep encouraging him...
ReplyDeleteThis just makes me want to hug you! I think that we all would benefit from trying to celebrate the ones we love more than we do.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, 24 is just a baby! If you had known me when I was 24 . . .
{{{HUG}}}
ReplyDeleteComments are helpful. I appreciate your stopping by. It makes a difference to feel that someone is reading.
ReplyDelete