Honor the Challenges

Amy – La Vie Est Belle’s Marketing person here again.

I have an incredible 10-year-old son. He has an infectious smile, the biggest heart, and complex medical needs (including autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, sensory processing disorder, and disruptive behavior disorder), in addition to an unknown genetic disorder. …and the best laugh.

Often, I am asked, when did you know your son was neurodivergent/more/extra special? Easy - when I was pregnant. He broke two of my ribs, he kicked so hard. It was a very long, tough pregnancy. Hyperemesis, spotting – he tested me. He even refused to join us until I was 42 weeks and mere hours away from being induced. My OB was no longer letting me say “he will come when he is ready. No one is ever pregnant forever.” My turkey timer had popped. Not a surprise, he took his time and made it a challenge. Long, incredibly painful back labor (he was facing backward). I pushed for hours only to be told doctors needed to push him back up. I had to try again as he was not aligned properly - I thought it would break me.

Ten years in and I have come near breaking several times. In looking back, I believe he and God were preparing me for what was to come. It was my first glimpse into the strength and determination I would need to be Henry’s mother. So, this Mother’s Day, as I do each year, I will take a private moment to honor the challenges of the year, celebrate being his mom, all that he accomplished this year, and dream of what is to come.