Friday, May 16, 2008

New job, new mission

I am a working woman again. Life has gotten much busier than it was last fall, and the past few months have absolutely flown by. And yet, as busy as I am, I am feeling so comfortable in my skin again. I have purpose beyond our little haven here at home, and I am making a difference in the lives of other special needs families. It feels really, really good. And it feels good to say that!

In fact, when my friends ask me how the job is going, it's almost uncomfortable talking about how friggin' happy I am in this job. I don't know why it makes me feel uncomfortable – I guess it may be because I'm so used to talking about how rough things are that being in this good spot is so foreign to me. I drop T off at his full-time Verbal Behavior school (which is covered by insurance), go to my job, work with terrific colleagues (all of whom are mommies of special needs kiddos like me), talk with families who need help, pick up T in the afternoon, and have time to make dinner and hang out with him until it's time for bed. It doesn't leave a lot of time for extras, but I'm spending my time so incredibly well that even though I'm tired, I'm happy.

Now, some of the stories these families tell me are heart-wrenching. Some stories are incredibly, intensely frustrating. Some end up having some really happy endings, and some end up simply just being better situations than they were. Regardless, each family is so thankful for the help. Most days, I leave the office wanting to hug both T and Rob for being as wonderful as they are. This job has been eye-opening, certainly. I've told Rob that I wish my job didn't have to exist, but since it is seriously needed, I don't want to be doing anything else with my time while T is in school. I feel very, very blessed.

Hi Mama

Mother's Day morning 2008 brought with it one of the best spontaneous gifts I've gotten yet. I shuffled into the kitchen, having slept in (how glorious) because Rob got up with T and made breakfast. T looked at me, and said – unprompted – "Hi Mama."

6 years. 6 YEARS I've waited for these moments. I'm so stinkin' proud of him.

Awesome! He's my little talking man.