Gratitude

 

I'm so glad I lived long enough to take part in this big life change in the lives of my kids. Maureen and Nathan had a baby boy, Arlo Joseph, on February 13, 2024. He was 3 weeks early, and breach, so their plans for a home birth with their midwife coach didn't work out. Mo knew she may have to have a C-section if he didn't flip, but she hoped for another 3 weeks to convince him to do just that. It turns out he was "stuck" up under her rib so even with time, he may not have gotten head down into birth position. But everything is fine!

At the same time, and in the same hospital, a colleague of mine became a grandmother, and her grand daughter has a genetic duplication which will likely result in developmental challenges. My work is with parents of children with disabilities, and the possibility something might go wrong was always in the forefront of my mind. 

We have done nothing to deserve a child without a disability. And we don't know how Arlo's life will unfold. Will he live with crippling anxiety? Will he encounter an accident or health challenge? So many things could go wrong, but thankfully I am able to enjoy each time I get to be with him. Both Nathan and Mo arrange for lots of grandparent time, for which we are so grateful. 

Doug and I have been practicing "3 Good Things"- naming 3 things we are each grateful for before we go to bed. We had to rule out Arlo because we said him every night!