Dear Sweet Mama Struggling With Your Child's New Diagnosis

Dear Mama,

You didn’t expect to hear those words. That is what happens to “other people.”

You would gladly support those who have kids with disabilities, but that wasn’t supposed to be you…

You might have felt some ugly things at first, things you are not proud of, emotions born out of fear. It’s OK, all of those feelings and emotions are OK and you are going to be OK. Some of us take a long time to come around, others of us seem to trip for a moment and keep on rolling. Whichever one you are, it is fine, embrace where you are.

But I want you to know something. I want you to know that your joy will return, and along with it your smile that may have left for a bit. Don’t let fear win, fear is a monster and it will steal the joy you want so badly to have back. Don’t be afraid of the child who is 5, 10, or 20 years in the future, enjoy the one you have in front of you now. Enjoy the smiles, the warmth, the family you have just become a part of.

Some days are harder than others, but in no time, you will see this life is not what you thought it was going to be; don’t be afraid. Embrace the life God gave to you, it may be different than the one you had planned, the child you had planned, but it will all be beautiful in the end.

Let your story be rewritten and let it be even more powerful and amazing than you ever thought possible. Let love, hope and joy win in the end and live every day thankful.

Xoxo,
Dawn and Cedar (and the rest of our big family)