A Season of Gratitude and Thankfulness: For You, I am Thankful!

A Season of Gratitude and Thankfulness:  For You, I am Thankful!

It’s been 4 years since we have embarked on this journey of parenting.  Expectations collided with the reality of life from the moment our darling daughter was born.  I remember you curling up next to me in disbelief while she was being prepped to be transported to a nearby hospital.  As we feared for her life and for our lives without her, I knew we are going to be okay.  The warmth of your tears landing on my shoulder and the quiet sounds of you attempting to breath filled my heart with the comfort I needed… together, we will be okay.

We watched our relationship morph into many different ones.  There are a lot of times when us as a couple takes the back seat to us as a family raising a child with special needs.  My heart has many things to say to you.  Today, I want to take the time to thank you…

Your support, commitment and compromise are unconditional.  We’ve had to take many difficult and life altering decisions that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. For that, I am thankful.

You have been the rock I needed in this wild parenting adventure.  You make me a better person and a better mom. For that, I am thankful.

You are a perfect mix of centered and affectionate, kind and hilarious… always knowing how to put a smile on my face. For that, I am thankful.

You are the kind of dad I always knew you’d be… patient, loving and fun.  Seeing our daughter grow more and more attached to you every day is the greatest gift. For that, I am thankful.

You forever play an active role in our relationship… For you, I am thankful!

Editor’s Note:  As we move through this journey of parenting our sons and daughters, we are thankful for those parents who have come before us and those who walk beside us!  We’ve asked several P2P Members to share their thoughts on thankfulness and gratitude and we’d like to hear yours also!  Email our group at p2p-co@yahoogroups.org  

Want to become a P2P-CO Member?  It’s free and easy to JOIN US!

Carole Bakhos says, “The moment our daughter was born and rushed into the ICU, all my identities morphed into one… the mother of a sick child. Our journey with Yara helped us reach parts of ourselves we didn’t have to tap into before. We have experienced deep sorrows of the unknown future and intense happiness for every little accomplishment. Our perspectives have changed and none of the world’s troubles matter anymore. She is strong, happy, and healthy and she handles herself with such great self-confidence. We are so proud of everything she is and thankful that she has helped us become better people.” Carole, her husband, and daughter Yara, moved to Colorado last year and Carole immediately sought support from Parent to Parent of Colorado. Carole is a regular contributor to our Parenting with Altitude Blog, writing heartfelt letters to her daughter and now, to her husband.