A Season of Gratitude and Giving
“Gratitude is the music of the heart, when its chords are swept by the breeze of kindness”
–Author Unknown
A Season of Gratitude and Giving
During this time of year, our days get filled up so quickly with family, work, and personal things that it is often a challenge to find just a few minutes for ourselves. Caring for our family members usually takes priority over caring for ourselves. In this season of gratitude and giving, we want to encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on what you are thankful for!
Here are some things that our P2P Members are Thankful for….
From Lori Parker…
We have no family in Colorado. It’s just us: husband, myself and three boys. Before our son with disabilities was born, it was easier to get involved with people – neighbors, colleagues, etc and to trek back to Oklahoma or Louisiana to visit family. Afterwards not so much! His care requires an intense commitment of time that has limited my ability to freely join groups or activities. While this has taught me focus (and many other skills), I know that it has limited my ability to “grow” a community of friends and neighbors. At least outside of P2P! I am so thankful for Parent to Parent for being my “virtual” community through the years.
From Shirley Swope…
At this time when the world seems so sad and scary, we want to sit back and think of what we are thankful for. I would imagine that many of us will start with family and friends, and the lessons provided for us there.
Sometimes we get blinded by everyday obstacles that block us or our children from getting or being all that we can be. With that said, I am thankful that I get to live in a country that is relatively safe. I get to push our educational system to give children with disabilities a better education, grateful that the assumption is that they are ALLOWED in school for free, not the normal thing for many countries.
From Renee Walbert…
I am thankful for family, who share our joys and also our sorrows. Thankful for friends, who come along beside us to help carry the load when it becomes too heavy. Thankful for little pleasures: walking in rain showers, the smell of baking bread, snow frosted on pine trees, the sound of a running stream.
I am thankful for P2P, finding emotional support through the complexities of parenting kids with disabilities–from tiny to now adults. I find important information in a timely manner. With wisdom from parents who’ve walked this journey ahead of me, I find questions to ask and things to put in place moving from school age into the adult world! They have jobs, homes and friends and live with appropriate supports in their communities of choice! Couldn’t have done this without the support of P2P!
Let’s keep the conversation going on our P2P Online Parent Support Group! Email your ideas to: p2p-co@yahoogroups.com
Not a member? It’s quick and easy to join our group of Colorado parents of sons and daughters with disabilities and special health care needs. You can find our registration form at: www.p2p-co.org
