Thanks for all the warm wishes that you sent my way after my last post – Parenting on a Banana Peel. As often happens with the best laid plans, well you know the saying, “the best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” In other words, our plan went awry.
Moments after publishing my post into the cyber world, BG’s school called. She had a slight fever and had to stay home for 24 hours. So I spent the morning that I had hoped to spend talking with a therapist instead watching my joyful daughter exuberantly swing herself across monkey bars and over climbing structures until the 24 hours had passed.
The timing turned out to be fine, though. That evening we put a surprisingly effective parenting technique into action and things have turned around here. I know you’re curious. I’ll share more about it soon, after we’ve put it through a thorough test drive.
All said, I appreciate you writing to praise my courage. It’s easy to stay courageous in our few minor setbacks. I can only hope that one day I will reflect upon my parenting as being courageous and inspiring. I’ve been in awe of the courage I have seen from fellow parent and blogger, Katie Allison Granju. (Yes, I’ve mentioned her writing here before).
Even with the tremendous duress that she has been under this past month, Katie can still weave emotion and clarity together seamlessly. Recently Katie went public about her oldest son’s struggles with drug addiction. She’d previously kept it quiet, but couldn’t any longer after an overdose (compounded by a horrific beating) put him into a coma. This horrible saga gets worse. Not only was he not able to walk with the rest of his senior class for high school graduation, but no one knows if he will walk again. Ever.
My heart goes out to this mother and writer whom I have long admired. If you are inclined to follow her story, she is posting most days at mamapundit.com. You can see pictures of her beautiful son, read about his ever changing condition, her process advocating for his needs against the insurance giants, and the occasional reminders that she is due with a baby any day now.
This is just surreal. This can’t really have happened. And it’s especially surreal to feel H’s baby sister kicking and somersaulting around in my belly while he is so still and quiet.
If you’re not inclined to follow her personal story, I think she would wish that you educate yourself on drug use in youths. She has written about regretting her not-overly-concerned attitude about his use of marijuana. We all look for our own faults in times like these. It’s natural. Although I do believe that as wide open as we keep our eyes (and ears) we can’t control everything. Sadly.
I’ve heard this is a very important book about addiction for all parents to read: Beautiful Boy.
