Tuesday, December 16, 2008

YOU get it!


Yesterday, I had a play date with a friend. She brought her 2.5 year old little boy over to my house to hang out with Leah and I. We chatted as the little ones played, ok...well the little boy played and Leah watched in amazement at how fast he could destroy all her toys! Anyway, as we were talking I looked down to watch Leah play and while she was playing I watched her stand up by herself in the middle of the floor! I of course started screaming, 'oh my gosh, look at her this is amazing!' I went on to tell my friend (who by the way does know about Leah's hemi) that this was incredible and that Leah has only done this once before. As with everything new Leah does, I think to myself how I can't wait to tell Avi, My Mom, Lisa and/or Nadine (OT and PT), and my blogging friends, yes I think about it in that order! :) So, there I am still freaking out at this absolutely amazing thing Leah just did and my friend looks at me and says 'wow that's great.' I wanted to look at her and scream, YES THIS IS GREAT, but REALLY--DO YOU GET HOW GREAT IT IS!!! Do you have any idea how many times in the past 10 months I wondered if and when I'd get to see her do that? Do you have any idea how hard it is for her to do something so simple for your child? Do you get it, really do you?

And the answer is no. I can't expect her to get it, she has a wonderfully (not that not typical children aren't wonderful) typical little boy. They've never had to worry about when a milestone would happen. Would my child be late, would they be able to do it? Their little boy just did it, they got excited and said isn't that great. She didn't need to shout to the world. So, I really can't expect her to get it--she doesn't need too.

When talking to my friends I often have to take a step back. I realize that they don't know how to care about Leah doing something new the way I do. I love my friends and think that they are wonderful people, but they really don't get it. They don't get that this is a lifelong diagnosis. Just the other day, I had one of my friends come up to me and ask me "how's Leah's arm"? That's all it is to them, it's just her arm. Yet, we all know that it's so much more then just that. It's hard for me to realize when I speak to them that they don't fully get it. I can't blame them, before I was in the situation I most likely wouldn't have gotten it either and I do appreciate any of their comments. Even if I'd rather them jump up and down with me, I do know that they are heartfelt and sincere.

That's why I'm so thankful to you blogging friends. You all get it. You get it so much more then anyone could imagine. I'm so thankful for you all--each and every one of you and I'm so thankful for your little ones. They make me smile everyday! Your words are always there to pick me up when I've fallen or to cheer with me when I cheer. So blogging friends, really from the bottom of my heart-
Thank You For Always Getting It.

5 comments:

Popcorn House said...

I couldn't of said it better. Just perfect. I have often thought about this, how this whole journey has been easier because I have found my bloggy friends. I get so excited to see updates and to see all of our kids do new things. It really has been great to have this support group!!!

That is wonderful that she is standing back up!!!

Anonymous said...

You betcha! and
You're welcome! and
Thank you! for sharing Leah with us. and
Merry Christmas!
Barbara

Erin said...

I agree I couldn't have said it better congrats on this HUGE milestone:)

Barbara said...

You're so right. People who don't live or haven't lived it just don't get and we really can't expect them to. We are lucky that we've found each other here online.

Big cheer for Leah - standing up like that is an amazing accomplishment!

Kiera said...

Congratulations on the standing! That is HUGE news! I am so happy for you!

I am so glad that we have this little circle of Mommy's! It really does help that we are all here to understand each other and share in each other's joys and heartaches.