Thank heaven for good support. I’m talking about this in several different ways— organizations that provide information and resources, those who help and encourage and good providers who make a difference.
My thoughts on this post were prompted by a simple text message that I sent on yesterday. Next week my husband Lamar and I will be attending the annual Focus Education Conference.
Focus provides open arms of support with everything from family activities to share groups. The conference brings information to special needs parents from various professionals in the community.
Okay, that gives you background to the what of all this, so back to the text I mentioned. The conference is all day so of course we need child care for the girls.
We are so fortunate to have a network of family and friends that are always there to help. Those who provide much needed care for our date nights and those who come over for emergencies at a moment’s notice.
I kept forgetting to ask about babysitting for this day and thought it best to ask our network of supporters to come for a “shift” to make the day easier for everyone. I sent my text asking who might be available for a time from two to three hours.
I had replies within seconds. All saying yes! My heart was so warmed. Paying for all day childcare would be so expensive. So having our family and friends be so ready to support us for this event really means a lot to us.
So while I’m on this topic of support, I don’t want to leave out our team of therapists and teachers who also make a difference. I see these people going above and beyond the call of duty and I don’t think they have any idea of what this means to us.
Hopefully they will all read this post and know how much they are appreciated. We are thankful for all the help that we get from our personal network and those who help on a professional basis. Thank you so much for all you do.
Imagine life without support. In our case, sometimes we need sitters, encouragement or a kind word. You likely need something different; but we all need support of some kind.
Early on in Juliana’s diagnosis I kept reading more and more about setting up a support network. I didn’t go around polling our friends and family to see if they could be counted on.
But soon it became obvious on whom we could rely. Those are our go-to people and for them I am truly grateful.
It’s January and thus we are still in the season for resolutions and goals. If you have been navigating life without a support system, please, please stop.
We all know the infamous quote that “No Man Is An Island”. Don’t do any part of life’s journey alone. Many people in our lives are ready and willing to help or be there. Give them the chance to do so. This year, will you make it a point to ask? Just ask.
Very good thoughts, Sabrina! Sometimes help is there and all we have to do is ask! I am happy you were able to get childcare for the event you and Lamar are going to go to!
It is a pleasure and privilege to work with your daughter and your beautiful family. You are an inspiration! Great blog, too! 🙂
Thank you so much Vanessa. I love what you are doing to help us get a calmer, more peaceful Juliana.
Your smile & positive attitude give me more encouragement & support than you will ever know!! God is good!! Hugs to you!!
Indeed He is. Thank you for all you do to lead our group and help feed my spirit to keep going.
I am excited about this resource that you’ve created and about what God has been teaching you and Lamar in your journey as parents. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with the rest of us.
Thank you Ni’Ger. I feel that I am a far cry from that conversation we had when Juliana was first diagnosed. I’m excited to see what He has in store for all of us.
[…] lifeline can come in many shapes and forms. In this instance, I’m not referring to one on a game show […]