Having kids move home this summer is more than just wild, madhouse fun, having them home is a great blessing. As with all my surgeries, this one has slowed me down and set me back. Heather, Chris and Audrie make sure the house, yards, gardens, 4 chicks, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and their mom are all surviving and thriving. I can’t thank them enough. But, they haven’t stopped with just the ‘domestics’, while Chris is out fixing the chicken coop complete with a hand crafted door so the new feathery family members will have a place of their own, Audrie has set up our Etsy shop, and Heather has taken my online business to new reaches.
Within 24 hours of Heather creating a Facebook page for Keeping It So Simple there were over 100 likes. Now, this might not seem much to get all excited about but it sent me over-the-moon giddy. I greeted each individual who clicked like with a little heart hug of gratitude. Saturday evening before going to bed Heather read a comment post to me which brought me to tears.
Leaving the hospital after my accident was one of the most stressful events in my life, more stressful than the accident itself, in a different sort of way. “How do I get back to my life? Everything, absolutely everything about the way I existed is now altered. Will my kids have a ‘normal’ growing up? Everything about their lives is now altered. How do I get back to being mom and assist them to getting back to being kids?”
As arduous as this has been physically it has been even more difficult mentally and emotionally. There were times during the first couple of years I was a complete wreak; anger, sorrow, grief, depression, pain, discouragement, frustration; reacting sometimes to these emotions in very unbecoming ways and emerging from them with shame and guilt especially from the parts my children and husband witnessed.
Then there were times when I would get the stares, the comments, like being one of the main attractions at a freak show. Learning to deal with these situations on a personal level was one thing, on a mommy level it was something completely different and warranted much more importance. I really was concerned about my kids being embarrassed, ashamed, fearful to bring their friends home (realize prior to the accident our house was always the hang out house). I wanted them to continue to be okay with their mom, even being the only mom we knew who was missing 1/3 of her body and going through some pretty ugly (yes I choose these words in this way) emotional stuff.
Are you getting a snapshot of the scenario here? Jump back to the other evening and this Facebook comment Heather shared with me:
"Hey Heather! Thank you for sharing this. I just went to your mom's page and then off to her website. I read her story. She really is amazing! It's kinda crazy because I remember going with you to your home at lunch times in the CMHS days. I never knew how recent your moms injures were then. And even with it being so new she was (and I'm sure still is) so kind sweet and positive. Her smile lights a room up <3 I am sure her business is taking off. I hope your family is well ❤️"
With deep appreciation Danielle, for you have blessed and eased my mind and heart.
For Heather's friend, this post took a few moments. For me it answered a question I've had lingering for years. She blessed me in an immeasurable way. Today, if there's someone who's crossed your mind, someone you could reach out to in kindness, gratitude, fondness even if it seems trivial, I encourage you to take a few moments and acknowledge them for you never know when that simple act will fill their heart.
So, our house went back to and continues to be the ‘hang out’ house. I love having them here, having them home. Here’s a picture of us last September from Chris and Aud’s wedding. The Fab Five, despite the odds, have all grown to be successful, brilliant, simply fabulous adults.
Within 24 hours of Heather creating a Facebook page for Keeping It So Simple there were over 100 likes. Now, this might not seem much to get all excited about but it sent me over-the-moon giddy. I greeted each individual who clicked like with a little heart hug of gratitude. Saturday evening before going to bed Heather read a comment post to me which brought me to tears.
Leaving the hospital after my accident was one of the most stressful events in my life, more stressful than the accident itself, in a different sort of way. “How do I get back to my life? Everything, absolutely everything about the way I existed is now altered. Will my kids have a ‘normal’ growing up? Everything about their lives is now altered. How do I get back to being mom and assist them to getting back to being kids?”
As arduous as this has been physically it has been even more difficult mentally and emotionally. There were times during the first couple of years I was a complete wreak; anger, sorrow, grief, depression, pain, discouragement, frustration; reacting sometimes to these emotions in very unbecoming ways and emerging from them with shame and guilt especially from the parts my children and husband witnessed.
Then there were times when I would get the stares, the comments, like being one of the main attractions at a freak show. Learning to deal with these situations on a personal level was one thing, on a mommy level it was something completely different and warranted much more importance. I really was concerned about my kids being embarrassed, ashamed, fearful to bring their friends home (realize prior to the accident our house was always the hang out house). I wanted them to continue to be okay with their mom, even being the only mom we knew who was missing 1/3 of her body and going through some pretty ugly (yes I choose these words in this way) emotional stuff.
Are you getting a snapshot of the scenario here? Jump back to the other evening and this Facebook comment Heather shared with me:
"Hey Heather! Thank you for sharing this. I just went to your mom's page and then off to her website. I read her story. She really is amazing! It's kinda crazy because I remember going with you to your home at lunch times in the CMHS days. I never knew how recent your moms injures were then. And even with it being so new she was (and I'm sure still is) so kind sweet and positive. Her smile lights a room up <3 I am sure her business is taking off. I hope your family is well ❤️"
With deep appreciation Danielle, for you have blessed and eased my mind and heart.
For Heather's friend, this post took a few moments. For me it answered a question I've had lingering for years. She blessed me in an immeasurable way. Today, if there's someone who's crossed your mind, someone you could reach out to in kindness, gratitude, fondness even if it seems trivial, I encourage you to take a few moments and acknowledge them for you never know when that simple act will fill their heart.
So, our house went back to and continues to be the ‘hang out’ house. I love having them here, having them home. Here’s a picture of us last September from Chris and Aud’s wedding. The Fab Five, despite the odds, have all grown to be successful, brilliant, simply fabulous adults.
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