Thankful to have moved to a new chapter


I have a lot to give thanks for today, though one of the biggest things will not be discussed around the dinner table. But, she’ll be sitting right there, surrounded by her brother, sister, two adoring cousins and the rest of the family.

I have written a little about what went on this spring and summer, when my vibrant oldest child suddenly stopped eating after getting sick in public with another friend’s family. But, those months seem almost surreal now.


From a fear of food making her sick again, it became a fear of being away from me, and then a fear of leaving the house. It was sudden, shocking, sometimes violent and very scary.

We were lucky, though. We were able to get good help fast, help that is still there to talk to when we need it. We were able to put a common, much less scary name on it: Anxiety.

I have come to understand that her anxiety is probably like the anxiety that bubbles up in me far too often, but as a child, she doesn’t know how to cope with it as well as I (or perhaps I have just found less visible signs of coping: grinding teeth, pacing, crying while driving so the kids can’t see, shutting down to everyone around me when I need to focus, focus, focus or the world will spin out of control.)

Things are not “back to normal”, though who knows what normal is anymore? But, I do know that she can eat again. She will play with friends. She laughs and explores and runs and tells funny stories, and I’m pretty sure anyone who sees her now would never know how tough things were in the middle of the year.

For all of this, I am so very thankful.

May you have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as well.

Comments

  1. I'm so glad she's doing better. Happy Thanksgiving!

  2. Happy Thanksgiving, indeed. So happy to hear this. 🙂

  3. aw!!! this is truly something to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!

  4. Suburban Correspondent says

    I'm so glad you've weathered the storm. Do email me!

  5. I was just thinking about her the other day, wondering how she is doing. I'm so happy to hear she's doing better…

    Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

  6. I'm thankful for this too. I hated to think about her so sad.

  7. I'm so very glad. Happy Thanksgiving indeed.

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  8. I will be thankful for this for you as well.

  9. Nan | WrathOfMom says

    I'm glad to hear that she's on the mend and that it's a happy Thanksgiving @ the Fairly Odd Household.

  10. Josette at Halushki says

    When a child is not well, everything – everything – takes a hazy second place when it comes to emotional, physical, and spiritual energy and focus. Having just been through a week long bout of a small child being very ill, I know how the rest of the world revolves around you, but your heart is stopped in one place.

    I'm so glad she's doing better and for the absolute blessing of finding the professionals who put their smarts to use and gave you your kiddo back, even with this new version normal.

    Happy Thanksgiving. Exhale, Mama, and enjoy some pie. 🙂

  11. solsticemom says

    Anxiety is hard to deal with. I'm happy she's making some improvement. (my son is getting more and more anxious about/in school.)

  12. Suburb Sierra says

    🙂

    We are built to persevere, aren't we…

  13. I have wondered how she is doing – so glad to hear things are getting better. What a great thing to celebrate.

  14. Tracey - Just Another Mommy Blog says

    Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. Glad things are better for her.

  15. As someone who knows what you are going through, I am so glad that it is improving. My daughter also suffers from anxiety that she has worked on for the past two years. It does get better and they do learn coping mechanisms as they get older to help with the anxiety. So glad she is doing better.
    Blessings
    Diane

  16. Thankful, indeed. I missed her.

  17. Issas Crazy World says

    Oh I'm so glad to hear that she's finding her way again.

    I hope you guys had a great thanksgiving.

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