Emotions
I just came out of the kids' room. Oliver was fussing and I was afraid he would wake Waverly. There is something magical about watching your children sleep. I love making sure they are all snuggled under their blankets with their favorite stuffed animal tightly grasped. The sound of their steady breathing is musical. Tonight the sadness overwhelmed me and I wept standing between their beds. This disease is so unfair, so cruel. I am still shell shocked that we are in this situation. One day, much too soon, my children are going to leave this life. The pain of losing both of my children will be with me forever.
On Friday I met with a woman from the county about a waiver for the kids. At one point she mentioned that they will age out at 21, but there are other programs that they will be eligible for at that point. Of course I didn't say anything and make this poor woman feel terrible for something she could never have known, but I froze. I nodded my head and the conversation came to a close. I just kept thinking that my kids aren't going to make that milestone.
As I watched them sleep tonight I felt like such a failure. I am supposed to protect them. I am supposed to keep them safe. I feel so helpless. My babies are slowly dying and there isn't anything I can do to stop it. I am so angry.
Comments
I cannot begin to understand, but I do know that you are not a failure. You are a strong, wonderful, suffering mother. Please know of my prayers for you and your family tonight.
Christina Smith
Read this for me ... it is the reason I decide to put the dragonfly tatoo on my ankle. Hold strong to hope... it is all we have...
http://www.steventrapp.com/dragonfly-story.htm
Stacey Montgomery
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hopeforlucas
I just wanted to let you know that I feel every aspect of what you wrote. Even down to meeting with family service agencies when they mention the age at which services will cap out, I have the same exact thoughts. It is beyond horrible...I wish there was something better I could say to bring you comfort, but I so understand.
Joanne, Mom to Sasha
I feel like I never know the right thing to say, so I'll just speak from the heart.
You are such an amazing woman to be willing to share all of this with us. And I've seen you with your kids and you are the best mom they could possibly have.
I think about you and your family every day. You truly are an inspiration to me.
But you can't. You can't because it wasn't you who put it there. It wasn't you and it wasn't God and it's not some horrible test of what you can handle. It.just.is and it's awful.
BUT, it's you who shows them love. It's you you who hugs them. It's you who's loving face they cling to in their darkest hours. It's your voice that brings the calm and your soothing voice they will seek out.
As mothers, there are many times we feel helpless and weak. Allow those around you to remind you that you're not. You provide. It never feels like enough, I know. But please accept that today a total stranger looked at your blog and decided that *today* you did enough. You did a good job today, Shannon. You didn't take anything for granted and while you can't stop tomorrow from coming, you did alright with the day you already had. ((hugs)) I know it's not much but unfortunately, words of support are all I have to offer.