The Most Powerful Word to Me as a Special Needs Mom
My daughter, Afua, doesn’t walk…yet.
Afua isn’t communicating with signs…yet.
Afua is not drinking from a cup…yet.
I find myself using these phrases at doctor’s appointments, school meetings and discussions with friends or relatives. I can’t seem to say the first part without adding the word “yet.” I wonder if my “yet” is viewed as a mom who is unhappy with the way things are or if they truly understand my feelings behind using the word.
Right now, the word “yet” gives us power to hope for Afua’s future. It gives us permission to say that we know more miracles are around the corner. That the hours she works so hard in therapy each week are for a purpose. And we hope she will get to experience new things as a result of that hard work.
Yet, if nothing changes, if nothing improves, if life tomorrow is exactly as the days before, she is loved just the same. Her performance is not a measure of her worth.
So I guess this is really the heart of parenting a child with special needs. We live in the moment, we hope for the future and we constantly worry that our moments with our kids will be cut short. Balancing all these feelings is 90 percent of my journey.
Follow this journey on Joyful Journey.
Jenni is a mother of five, married for 20 years to her high school sweetheart, Eric. Her children range in age from preschool to high school by birth and adoption. Jenni is an advocate for orphaned children with special needs and is passionate about making our world an inclusive place for all. When she is not driving her minivan to various activities and appointments, she can be found blogging at Joyful Journey Mom.
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