I am sappy this time of year

Many times we give little clues here to our lives. I know that many of you don't know, but my son has a mental disorder that has affected our lives in a great many ways. I wrote the following letter to many of my friends, but felt a little funny not saying thanks to all of you, even if there is no mention of all the help I have gotten in this forum. So forgive my sappiness and perhaps a little TMI, but it had to be said IMHO. Thanks......


I just wanted to take this time to thank you all for being such wonderful friends. I have been witness to all the little things in life so much lately. I am blessed beyond measure by your friendship....Thank you.

Many of you know that about a week ago Cody has made it through an entire year without a hospitalization. Much of this is due to support you have given me in big and small ways. Whether it was donating money to the clinic he attends for the charity walk over the summer, the encouragement and words of support you have provided to the both of us, the listening ear when I was ready to have a mental breakdown of my own, the hugs and kisses I received to fill up my soul, the pat on the back, the bikes so that we could go out riding together, help with my car, encouragement in my slow (but steady) weight loss, gifts of clothes, acting as a sounding board time and time again, drying my tears, answering my calls at indecent hours of the night, the gentle teasing of loving friends & family, calling me out on missing the blessings we do have rather than looking at only the next step ahead. These things are only snippets of the gifts you have given us over the last year.

I can barely begin to describe how much of a difference you have made in both of our lives. Whether you have ever met Cody or not, whether you have ever been here in person or not, you have had a profound affect in our lives and we thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You will never know the difference that you have made. You will never know how much of the sacrifices I have had to make as his mother that were made so much easier by all of you. I do want you to know that each one of you, in your own way, have given Cody a new lease on life, a chance to do something that the doctors told me at first would never be possible.

I have gotten to the point in my life when I am no longer just trying to survive, but I am really beginning to thrive, even as a single mother of a special needs child. I hope that this small thank you will encourage you to do this time and time again, to offer love and to share it freely. Because that, my friends, is what you have done for me. Merry Christmas.

Love,

Dawn

It's so easy to focus on what we want to accomplish or haven't achieved yet. I'm glad you are able to see all of your little blessings, few people are able to do that. I hope you are able to continue doing so, and feel free to vent whenever you have the need. (whether it be good or bad ;) )

Dawn,


Thx for sharing. Too often times in the hustle, and bustle and commercialization of the holiday, we forget the true meaning of "the Reason for the Season".

Thanks for the gentle reminder. Good luck and may He bless you with many triumphs over the tribulations in the coming year.


RuLyn

Thank you for sharing your letter Dawn,
And altho I don't know you personally, I am here for you if you need anything. Myself and my family deal with many trials in our daily lives, and we have all learned (including our six year old) what it REALLY means to be alive, and to be thankfull for that each and every day.
It's nice for me to see that other people are thankfull for some of the same reasons.
Hope all is well, and don't hesitate to drop a line or email, even if it is just to talk herps or ramble about nothing, really anytime.
Rusty

I am glad if we can help you in any way here. I hope that I could meet you at a reptile show in the area sometime!

Thank you for all the kind replies. I really just wanted to say thank you. There are times when I need to get a little obsessive over something other than doctors, therapists, blood tests, meds and such. DD has been a wonderful addition to our home, and lives. The help on this forum, and the friendships and laughs that came from here have helped a great deal.
You guys are like totally awesome! (That's the Cali girl coming out in me)

And Shelby I would love to meet you sometime at the reptile swap!

What a beautiful letter Dawn and I'm sorry I haven't been around for our chats here, in AIM and on the phone for the past couple of weeks. Missed you bud!

If I haven't said it privately (and even if I have) I'd like you to know how much I admire you both as a person and as Cody's mom. We are all given what we can carry and you carry your challenges, joys, frustrations with a wonderous sense of grace and a view to the bigger picture. Cody's a lucky young man and I count myself lucky to call you a friend.


~~Jo~~