Happy New Year! Well, not quite yet but soon.

I hope that everyone had a good holiday season. We did. But it came complete with a few much needed breaks per Elizabeth’s requests. But overall she had a wonderful Christmas.

Now onto the New Year.

I hope everyone reading this will be welcoming the New Year as a time to see the possibilities ahead and to take a moment to think about the year past.

-Not so much in terms of whether it was a tough one or an easy one

-Not to compare your child to where they were a year ago.

But to:

– Allow yourself to reflect on all the good things the year brought.

– Allow yourself to look at the year and see all that you did do for your child.

– Allow yourself to recognize all the efforts you made for your child’s life.

If you are like me, it is hard to allow yourself to think about these things when you are so busy thinking about all that needs done or all that your child needs day to day.

But there is this one time of the year when most of the world is reflecting on the highs and lows of 2017, that I want to offer out the same privilege to you, those who have a special needs child in your life.

Many people who do not have these wonderful children in their lives, simply cannot understand how all-encompassing their care can be. From the actual care of them, to the mental part that is always with us.

This mental part includes:

-the thoughts about how they are doing today.

-the thoughts about what their futures will hold.

-the thoughts about what therapies they will be going to/ needing in the future/ or dealing with presently.

-the thoughts about what is the next step on their journeys.

Trust me, it is with us. Every moment. Of everyday.

With that being said, there are gifts in this journey and they include an appreciation for the little successes in life. For the happy times, when our special needs child tries something new, says a new word or makes a new friend.

For us, when Elizabeth would try a new task and her Dyspraxia or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) would not show themselves, we would celebrate! We love seeing her sense of pride.

So as you reflect, allow yourself to see the good that happened in any form it takes.

Then when you look to the new year, my wish for everyone is that you can see the time ahead as one filled with possibilities and hope.

Special needs, sensory diets, therapies, friends, SPD, Dyspraxia, speech therapies, speech delays.

All those words will still be part of your 2018, just as they were in 2017, but know you will see the year ahead and know that you will be right there beside your child to help them, guide them and love them. And know just how special you are as the parent/  caregiver of one of these wonderful special needs children.

 

I know I love Elizabeth more than I can say in 20 blogs. I treasure the good with her. I cry over the tough times. But I treasure her always.

Take these moments to reflect. To plan for the next year. And to recognize all you are to these children.

Then, when it is time. Count down from 10 to 1 and wish everyone a happy start to a brand new year.

I wish everyone a peaceful week and start to 2018.

Michele

Author of: “ I Believe In You: A Mother And Daughter’s Special Journey” and “Emily’s Sister”