( If you want to hear Lori read this story click)here

 

I belong to a group of moms with special kids. We get together every spring to check in with how we are coping with the continual stress of mothering our children. Last night I gave a whoop when it was my turn to speak. 

 

"We are finally done with diapers!!" The women who have listened to an unreasonable surplus of my whining cheered with me. 

 

Being with these friends gives me stability. Many of us have been gathering for great food and companionship for ten years. All of our children have different issues, and it is astonishing to me how hard each of them has worked to learn about their child's condition and to champion their needs.

 

There are two absolutes that are the bedrock of our meetings. One is that we love our kids. Although I do not recall anyone saying those four words, "I love my child", it was the wind behind every monologue about finding services and managing the impact on siblings. Any of us could have used them to preface each sentence.

 

"I love my child, and so I took him to a new doctor."

 

"I love my child and so I fought with the insurance to pay for therapy."

 

The other unspoken truth that reinforces us like a backbone is that we are not giving up. That too could have been our mantra.

 

"Because I am not giving up, I took my child to a conference."