Peaks and Valleys

A new dawn arises and the journey begins again. As with most things there are peaks and valleys.

I've certainly had my share on this journey. My mind scarcely allows me to believe these days may someday pass. I muddle through the days, weeks and sometimes months not able to fully identify my feelings; let alone put them into words. 

That is why I thank God today for gifting me the ability to give voice to that which lies deep within. 

I am grateful. I am humbled. I am hopeful and I am not alone.

  

Being a parent can be challenging at times. Even more so when you add global developmental delays, sensory processing disorder, intellectual disability, dyspraxia, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep disorder, epilepsy and autism. So what do I get? A life filled with uncertainty preceded by hope.

Faith and hope are what pave my path. I could tell you my life has been one joyous event after another or I could tell you my life has been one disastrous challenge after another, either way I’d be lying. Life has been a treasure trove of peaks and valleys. Both of which are joyful and challenging. Both of which are necessary. They are the IT that gets us out of bed in the morning and they are the thing that makes us cry ourselves to sleep at night. Peaks and valleys are what shape us into the richly dynamic people that we are.

At the end of the day every challenge comes with a measure of success and every joy, gratitude.

If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t begin to imagine my son being anyone other than who he is. I can’t imagine myself being anyone other than who I am. Are there days I get fed up and scream into a pillow…sure, but don’t all parents have days like that?

What matters most to me is who my son is, not his diagnosis. He’s a warm, charismatic, humorous, thinking individual who loves life and loves to love. He’s a helper by nature and a nurturer by example. I am in awe of his inner strength and ability to overcome adversity. He never lets anything keep him down for long and when life gets real hard, he still has hope. He never ceases to amaze me with his budding abilities. He is a master of resilience. I’ve learned so much about life and living from watching him. I don’t think it gets much better than that.

On the other hand, valleys are the residual of a world less receptive to disabilities. Valleys are the gawking stares and hateful words, the snickering behind ones back. Valleys are the abuse inflicted on us because we are thought to be of little or no value. Valleys are the injustice inflicted on those thought to have no voice or no feelings. Even to the professionals who take away hope and fill us with fear. Valleys are deep and wide and never ending.
 

There has to be balance.

If not for the valleys, what would we fight for? What would be the fuel for our fire, our passions?

Peaks and valleys will always come and go. What's most important? Not so much the fight it takes to get from one point to the other as it is to recognize what the peaks and valleys offer. They offer vital information and the growth needed to sustain us. Peaks and valleys force us to take pause, make mental check lists, reflect and deflect, regroup and get prepared for the next phase of the journey.

Galatians 5:22 (KJV) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

³ Not only so, but we^[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.
 

Dear God, please bless us all with the strength to stay on our path and the ability to endure it.