"Smile, breathe and go slowly." - Thich Nhat Hanh
After a rough week, things are looking up. It has been 2 years since my daughter was diagnosed with PTSD and the fight to help her recover has been marked with ups and downs. Part of the process is dealing with the grief and unresolved loss, because when a family member suffers an illness and resulting disability, there is no moving on. You are just stuck in this endless cycle of coping with what at times is a very overwhelming situation. Unfortunately, like most mental illnesses, there is no cure for PTSD.
But I am grateful for the small things, like the fact that I still have her after someone tried to kill her. I believe that it was the power of her families' love that helped her survive that situation, and it is our love that is supporting her now.
I'm grateful for other things, like having a job I love, friends that listen when I'm overwhelmed, kind and good children, a husband who loves me, my animals and their blind devotion, bookstores, coffee, wine, and good cheese. I'm grateful for nature- trees, animals, mountains, beaches, and streams. So for 2017, I'm just going to "Smile, breathe, and go slowly."
Here's wishing that 2017 brings many, many, many smiles to you, your daughter, and your whole family. Hugs. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Elise, so good to hear from you! Thanks for your well wishes and hope all is good with you and your family too.
DeleteOh, wow. So sorry your daughter had to go through something as traumatic and horrific as that. Can't imagine how difficult that is to recover from. Hope 2017 ends up treating you and your family well!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are no words, but we can only try to move forward. It's just not as easy as that sounds though. Thanks for your support!!
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