Spoiler Alert- I don't do "it" alone. I have Team Mermaid. A magical community of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who keep our sparkle alive and well. As those of you who are tails on the ground and those of you who raise the tide of love through calls/texts/posts know - it takes a village -in our case the village is a watery magical earthbound Atlantis. Working full-time as the only parent (we lost the girls dad five years ago) of two kids living with, or the impact of, a chronic illness is not something I do alone. Sure there was a time I tried - but if nothing else this journey has taught me we are all beautifully interdependent - and to be intentional and compassionate about those connections is a rich opportunity. One of the things about having a kid with a chronic illness is making sure that the other sibling(s) don't get overlooked and their successes celebrated, their challenges addressed, and they are still front and center in love and support. And just as importantly, that magic is woven into the mundane and the tedium of childhood; into homework, chores, the kabillion medical appointments, playdates, and the spaces that open up for you as a kid when you are raised by a single mom. The most humbling parts of this journey has been realizing that there is simply no way I can do "it" alone and that learning to ask for, and receive, help was a skill I sorely lacked. And a skill that I needed to master with grace and intention. Its the skill I am most proud of developing. I am gifted with an amazing community and I refill my cup to nourish myself and the girls from this deep ocean of generosity and love. About five months ago I gave myself three beautiful gifts that have required even more support - regular sleep, acupuncture, and a return to my yoga practice.
My yoga practice gives me sessions of peace and gratitude - the time to breath deeply and to create a space for my entire self (mind/body/spirit) to let go of the beautiful and terrible- to be. To sit in the interstices and to take off the many hats I wear- single mom, worker bee, caregiver, volunteer - to just be. My mind stills from the first Om to the final Namaste and I find solace, healing, and nourishment in the asanas and breath work that deeply challenge my entirety. In caring for myself, I am able to care for others and receive the love and support offered by the stunning love and generosity of team mermaid - and doing so I am able to sparkle and make sure my mermaid tribe glistens as well
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AuthorI am a healthcare advocate and mom-ologist with on-the-mom training in infectious disease, hepatology, rheumatology, gastrointestinology, and glitterology. Archives
January 2019
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