I got lost in the wilderness…
My world changed forever when I found out that my beautiful two-year-old boy had autism. I felt my whole world crack open and the ground shift beneath my feet. All my hopes and expectations for my son, for myself as a mother, and for us as family were changed forever in that moment.
A different path
My heart broke, but I became fiercely determined to do everything I could for my son. I spent the next several years focused just on my son – to the detriment of myself, my spouse and my family. I didn’t take care of myself and I became a shell of my former self. I quit my job in public health research and put my career on hold. I was a good mom - all my energy went into getting my son the help he needed. But, I didn’t know who I was anymore.
I was lost in the wilderness, with fog all around me, and felt like I couldn’t find a path forward.
Finding my way back through the wilderness and onto a path of my own creation, took years and a lot of work (including working with my own coach). It’s an ongoing journey, with beautiful meadows, occasional thunderstorms, steep hills, and sore muscles. There is still stress and heartbreak, but there is also satisfaction and knowledge that I can find joy, be present in the moment, take care of myself, and have resilience to handle what comes my way. I know now that there is lunch waiting for me at the lake, and all the hard hiking will lead to incredible views.
