As the mother of a critically ill child, I often heard, ‘you can’t take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself.’
Every mother who cares for a chronically, critically or terminally ill child has heard this phrase more than once. And most mothers don’t listen. If your child is sick, you, as a mother, take care of your child. That’s your job, your instinct, your passion and your purpose.
But as the mother of a critically ill child, I only focused on taking care of my son. And when I lost him, I felt the need to care for someone else.
So I did that for many months. I wanted my energy, my passion and my purpose to be used for some kind of good. I needed to help other moms and dads, whose energy was spent on their sick children, to feel some kind of relief. I wanted to care for anyone but myself.
But there comes a time when every mom, every parent, every person, has to take care of themselves.
I am lucky to have an amazing group of individuals who have loved, supported and walked me through the most difficult journey a mother ever has to navigate.
And now, though I would give anything to have my baby in my arms again, I will use the only outlet I know to help myself heal. I will brave this unknown and terrifying world of social media.
And I will write.
Once again I will call you incredible, I am not a gifted writer like you, but am very proud to call you my dearest friend and most amazing mother I know. You have got this girl, your little man is forever proud of you!!!
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Little sisters usually look up to their older sisters… But we’ve never been normal. I look up to you more than anyone in this world. You are the strongest woman I know, and the best mom this world has ever seen. I am so happy you are taking this next step in your journey. Your writing is so personal and touching, and I am inspired every day by your strength and ability to take one step forward, even on the hardest days.
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Well stated. We can’t take care of others unless we take care of ourselves. It seems so easy to say that we don’t have time to eat right, exercise, or just take some downtime. However, the few minutes we set aside to refresh and renew our own body and mind, pays back to others exponentially.
Richard Yadon | http://www.RichardYadon.com
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