I’ve been taking part in a Summer Disability Blog Hop Series. The entry I wrote about the challenges we face when Lily is sick was part of that. This weeks post is asking about the Comforts and Connections that we make and as I started to write a new post, I realized that I had an older one that probably said everything that I wanted to….so, don’t feel crazy if you think you’ve read this before, and if you haven’t…then I hope you enjoy!
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There is something about Lily that really seems to attract people. I know that sounds like a proud mom boasting, and maybe this really does happen to everyone, but we seem to get stopped a lot when we’re out with Lily. There’s just something about her – her eyes, her squishy faced smile, or most usually, her hair – that makes people want to stop and say hello.
Less often, but more meaningful, are the other’s who stop us. Mom’s who look at Lily, catch our eye and share a knowing smile. They are mom’s who are walking down the same hallway with us at the doctor’s office, or riding the same bus with their own daughter. Without fail, they wait for the perfect moment and then, gently and never intrusively, come over and just want to share with us how lucky we are. These are mom’s who tell us of their own children, their own miracles, and just want us to know that beyond any hardships we, or Lily, may face, at the end of the road there is so much love. It’s always the same message – you’re going to know a love that you didn’t even know existed. They will warn us that people will be mean but they tell us to be strong and never give up hope that she will do something amazing with her life. It always something they repeat – over and over again – don’t think she won’t be able to do it, she’s going to be amazing. She’s going to surprise you in so many ways and you’re going be so happy that this is your life. Love her, they tell us, and what you’ll get in return will make up for anything you think you may have lost.
“She said I was lucky – that I’d been offered a shortcut to what life is all about when some people search for it their whole lives and never know. She said I had a secret – a secret to happiness and that, while some people may look at me and pity me, in time I’d feel like I knew something they didn’t. “Someday, Kas,” she said, “you’ll feel so happy in spite of their pity glances. And you’ll wish you could let them know – that you could show them what life is about.” ~ Kelle Hampton; Bloom
