No one hands you an instruction manual when you become a mommy. And no one can prepare you for all of the joys, stress, heartache, and fun that comes with being a mommy. And when you find out that you are the mommy of a special needs child, no one prepares you for the heartache and the struggle that lies ahead.
I'm sure many of you have read our story. If not, click HERE to read.
Recently, during an economic collapse, we put our newly built house up for sale and moved to another state to secure autism services for our son. We moved in the hopes of changing his life for the better. -In hopes he could make friends and find some quality of life. In our home state, aside from family, he really had no friends or life outside of the family. He was ostracized, bullied, and pushed aside. We fought for years to get him services and educational help only to watch our little boy spiral into depression and slip further away.
It's been 9 months since our house has been for sale and not one bite. We've dropped and re-dropped the price numerous times. And today, the relocation agent told us that it looks as though we will need to sell the house for substantially less than we paid for it. It was a blow. To know that in today's financial market, everything we worked so hard for will be gone and we'll have nothing to show for it. We moved from a newly built house with a beautiful 5 acre view of a country tree farm to a teeny apartment in the city. And it's likely we will not make anything at all off the house to put down on another house. It's a hard pill to swallow.
After crying for about half an hour and realizing that we won't have a house for a long time, I took a deep breath and watched the video I made of Brian. His beautiful face reminded me that no house, no possessions would be worth anything at all if I didn't have him in my life. And if he were to go back to OH, I honestly believe his depression would continue to spiral out of control until we no longer had him in our lives.
So while I'm not happy about losing our dream home and having to live in an apartment for some time longer while we rebuild our credit and our savings, I am okay with sacrificing for my son. No one said being a mommy would be easy. But loving my son and doing what's right for him is an easy decision.
Sometimes, we need to get back to what is important in life : Our family. They are more important to me than any house, than any possession. They are my life. And instead of having a pity party for myself the rest of the day, I'm going to thank God for the opportunity to help my son and make my family whole. Hug your family a little extra today. Everything else in life is just icing on the cake. :)
6 comments:
I just read your post about your son's Autism - how tragic that it took so long for doctors to finally give you a diagnosis. My son was diagnosed before his 4th birthday, about a year ago. It's impossible to know how things will turn out but at least we know what's going on, we know he's not just a disruptive kid, and he is getting services to help him.
I am concerned about his eating habits - he is a really picky eater, and of course loves processed foods. Getting him allergy tested this weekend, but the thought of trying to introduce lots of unprocessed foods into his diet seems like an impossible task.
Anyway - enough about me - you have the right attitude about your new living situation - you are doing this for all the right reasons, and it's only 'stuff' you are leaving behind after all - imagine the joy you will feel as your son comes more and more out of his shell, comes in from school happy and smiling. You'll be in my thoughts. God bless xx
What you have done for your family is amazing. You are such a wonderful, kind, caring person and mom! I feel I am a better person for knowing you. I really believe that everything will work out for you all. It is just a house. You are all together, happy, healthy and much better off here. Plus we are all better off with you here too!! Friday mornings would be really lonely without you.
What a beautiful post and such a wonderful reminder of where our treasures should truly lie. I am amazed and in awe of the sacrifices you continually make to ensure the happiness and well-being of your family. You are my hero!
What a beautiful post. The love we have for our families is infinite and far greater than the importance we place on any one "thing" in our lives.
You said it yourself - in the long run family is what matters the most!!
It's all just material things and while it may be disheartening you are doing the right thing!
I get it, I really do. You do what is best and you have priorities that put first things first.
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