Serena, this is so beautiful. I can very much relate to what you are going through and both being comfortable in the darkness and finding the light (and God) in it all. I spent the weekend reading Hannah’s reports and assessments and i feel this wave of self blame. Why didn’t i catch this sooner? How could i have done this better? Then i pause to give myself a moment of grace. That i am working hard everyday to uplift her physically, emotionally and in every way to meet her needs. I am grateful for you and that we are less alone on this journey because we can connect and share honestly. Thank you for being authentically YOU!
Hey Leslie! Thanks for sharing this. Glad you get it! I’m glad you were able to stop the self-blame and reorient. You are doing a GREAT job as a mom and working so hard to support her. And yet when our kids are struggling, it is easy to criticize ourselves rather than just take in the grief of it (I relate to this so much). So grateful for you and the light you bring everywhere! :)
When our own light shines bright, others can see and navigate their path so much better.
“Sometimes, when the darkness is too overwhelming, we need others to light a candle for us in ways like this. Other times, we need the courage to let others into our darkness and to ask them to help us find a glimmer of light. I don’t believe we were ever meant to navigate the darkness on our own.”
Thank you for this. I will be a better partner to others as a result. 🙏
BEAUTIFUL. So touching. And this - "Perhaps allowing ourselves moments to pause, even during the frantic pace of the holidays, and embrace our pain, is the way forward to our own healing, even as we cannot control our teen’s journey." I'm not a parent yet this is so relatable and inspiring. <3
Lovely. Thank you. I will try every day to hold my loved ones up to the light and hope that the warmth will cheer them and mend them, just as I will think it will work for you.
This is so on point with my prayers lately. I have reminded God that he knows how this is all going to turn out. "Please resolve this God, Please don't let this situation become a disaster in their lives. I pray for all that has happened is being worked out for good. ....." We always have hope. Jesus is hope in a hopeless world. You have described so well in your situation what most of us feel in ours. Our job is to remain faithful even when we are in the dark and can't see past the next hour. I'm sorry about Ellie's eating disorder. Having survived one myself, I understand the both sides on a personal level. ❤️
Hi @Jane Anderson I love how you are praying in the dark and finding hope in moments of hopelessness. It is so hard to stay faithful especially when things feel so dark. Yet you are doing it! Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey too.
Serena, this is so beautiful. I can very much relate to what you are going through and both being comfortable in the darkness and finding the light (and God) in it all. I spent the weekend reading Hannah’s reports and assessments and i feel this wave of self blame. Why didn’t i catch this sooner? How could i have done this better? Then i pause to give myself a moment of grace. That i am working hard everyday to uplift her physically, emotionally and in every way to meet her needs. I am grateful for you and that we are less alone on this journey because we can connect and share honestly. Thank you for being authentically YOU!
Hey Leslie! Thanks for sharing this. Glad you get it! I’m glad you were able to stop the self-blame and reorient. You are doing a GREAT job as a mom and working so hard to support her. And yet when our kids are struggling, it is easy to criticize ourselves rather than just take in the grief of it (I relate to this so much). So grateful for you and the light you bring everywhere! :)
Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks @jason gaboury! Appreciate you.
Loved this post - and thinking about the holidays as mining the dark and honoring the beauty of even the smallest of lights. ❤️
Thanks @Logan Steiner! The holidays are so full of light - literally lights everywhere - and yet it’s also a gift to notice the darkness too.
When our own light shines bright, others can see and navigate their path so much better.
“Sometimes, when the darkness is too overwhelming, we need others to light a candle for us in ways like this. Other times, we need the courage to let others into our darkness and to ask them to help us find a glimmer of light. I don’t believe we were ever meant to navigate the darkness on our own.”
Thank you for this. I will be a better partner to others as a result. 🙏
Thanks @James Bailey - yes to sharing our light with others!
BEAUTIFUL. So touching. And this - "Perhaps allowing ourselves moments to pause, even during the frantic pace of the holidays, and embrace our pain, is the way forward to our own healing, even as we cannot control our teen’s journey." I'm not a parent yet this is so relatable and inspiring. <3
Thanks so much @Megan Walrod. Grateful for you.
Lovely. Thank you. I will try every day to hold my loved ones up to the light and hope that the warmth will cheer them and mend them, just as I will think it will work for you.
Beautiful @According to Mimi!
This is so on point with my prayers lately. I have reminded God that he knows how this is all going to turn out. "Please resolve this God, Please don't let this situation become a disaster in their lives. I pray for all that has happened is being worked out for good. ....." We always have hope. Jesus is hope in a hopeless world. You have described so well in your situation what most of us feel in ours. Our job is to remain faithful even when we are in the dark and can't see past the next hour. I'm sorry about Ellie's eating disorder. Having survived one myself, I understand the both sides on a personal level. ❤️
Hi @Jane Anderson I love how you are praying in the dark and finding hope in moments of hopelessness. It is so hard to stay faithful especially when things feel so dark. Yet you are doing it! Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey too.
Beautifully conveyed; poignant; heartfelt, inspiring. Serena, TY for sharing your way—it is a light in the darkness. Appreciate you!
Thanks so much, @Mo__ I really appreciate your words.
Thanks Alexandra!