Friday, February 25, 2011

Words, Words, Words from Christopher Robin

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Christopher Robin

Insecurity and self-doubt are serious hurdles in life, and all of us stumble over them at some point. Was there a time in your life when you realized Christopher Robin (a.k.a. A. A. Milne) was right, when you realized you were braver, stronger, smarter than you'd previously thought you were?

For me, it was Jack's diagnosis of autism. A parent usually doesn't expect something like that, and at least for us, it came out of the blue. Autism? Seriously? But four-and-a-half years later, I certainly feel braver, stronger, and smarter than I felt in that first moment Dr. Z said, "I think your son has autism." 

Your turn!

5 comments:

  1. You always make me think! DH was burned in 1980, when we lost our home to fire. His burns were over 80 percent of his body. He had 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree, resulting in months in the burn unit, skin graft operations, etc. This happened when I was pregnant with baby number two. Not only was he horrifically burned, but we had no home, one child dealing with nightmares (his fish boiled, etc), one on the way, insurance adjusters making my life hell, and then he was released to my care. Wow. The skin debridment began. Imagine if you will, me, several months preggo, leaning over the bathtub, peeling and clipping scabs until he would bleed.... yup, I discovered then that I can do much more than I think I can! What a blessing that he is still here to be my one and only soulmate! Have a great day - thanks for making me think!

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  2. My Mum was terrified of being put into a home and my older sister and I were aware of this from being quite young. When Mum needed care it fell to me to look after her. I knew I could manage up to a point but didn’t think I was strong enough mentally or physically to manage beyond that point. Then Mum started to have mini strokes which brought on dementia, she needed constant 24hr care, she was double incontinent, she needed lifting and carrying around, she had pneumonia twice which she survived without being hospitalised, she needed feeding and changing like a baby, she couldn’t be left alone for more than a few minutes at a time day or night, especially at night. If anyone had told me before hand that I could have done what I did for her I would never have believed them. I still don’t know where the strength came from, but am eternally grateful that it did. Mum died 18mths ago aged 94.

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  3. Three turning points in my life: braver 12 years ago when my husband was diagnosed with COPD and was retired on disability; smarter 6 years ago when he underwent a lung transplant and I undertook every aspect of his care, educating myself and others with his special needs. Stronger? Well, I've learned that you never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have. And strong is the only choice I've had when I lost him almost 2 years ago.

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  4. I salute you ladies. You are indeed brave, smart and strong -- plus so much more. When my mother at age 83 had "major, major surgery" (I never heard a doctor say that before), we almost lost her. During her six months in hospital and rehab, I found strength I didn't know I had. I had to be brave the night the hospital called us back in after midnight, because my mother had called the chaplain and wanted us to give her permission to let go. We had to be smart and figure out that a new med was causing her legs to give out unexpectedly, when the doctors just shrugged their shoulders. I found it through prayer and faith and a strong love between my mother, only sister and me. I am so grateful she is approaching her 85th birthday next week and doing okay.

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  5. Since I have a son with autism as well, you might think my answer would be similar to yours. I do think I'm stronger now than I was before I had kids, but I never feel smarter or braver. I just know I have to act braver than I really am.
    I felt somewhat brave when I moved to America over 20 years ago. Now I think that it was just me being young and somewhat naive. Oh well, I guess I feel a little smarter now!
    Thanks for the food for thought,
    Petra

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Thanks so much for taking time to comment!