It's All About Gratitude

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It's All About Gratitude

Written by Gayle Nobel

Thursday, 06 November 2008 14:00

It's November and fall is finally in the air here in sunny Phoenix. November brings one of my favorite holidays- Thanksgiving. Besides the food, I love the idea of a holiday devoted to giving thanks-gratitude. Though gratitude is the foundation of a healthy, happy attitude, it doesn't always seem to be the default attitude. At least, not for me. So, as I begin my first month of blogging, the month of Thanksgiving, I would like to shine a spotlight on gratitude.

November is also the month Rachel was born. She is my older daughter and turns 22 this year. I couldn't possibly be old enough to have a daughter that age, but it seems I am. Time passes way too quickly.

From day one, Rachel provided a healthy balance to my life. She was born during the middle of Kyle's most intense period of out of control seizures. In fact, he had been hospitalized just a few weeks before she arrived. It was a very challenging time. We tried lots of medication combinations and nothing seemed to work. Kyle spent many months seizing and sleeping his life away.

But life goes on. It really does. So Rachel joined our family in the middle of what might be defined as a crisis. Our fiery, red headed bundle suddenly infused tremendous joy into life during a time of worry and uncertainty. I have bittersweet memories of nursing Rachel with Kyle on the couch next to me sleeping off a seizure. It was wonderful to have another child to love and care for at that point in time. Easy? No. I was exhausted. But what a blessing. Rachel came into our lives at exactly the right time. Just her presence helped soften some of the emotions I was experiencing.

Our little redhead was a gift. I had a heightened sense of appreciation for all the milestones that she reached so easily. We were working very hard to help Kyle. In the early years, we often got little response in return. With Rachel we seemed to glide along, providing the nourishment of love and attention. Like a garden, she grew on her own.

In my writing and speaking, I often tell parents that their child with autism is a gift. It is true because that child teaches us to look outside our boxes and see everything differently. We become grateful for all the tiny things. Siblings, because they may not be as needy, are one of the pieces of the puzzle that are at risk of getting left in the box. Though unintentional, it can happen.

As I explore gratitude, I am keenly aware that siblings are just as much a gift. Rachel, too, has been a gift just by being who she is. She gave me another experience of motherhood. She provided some balance at a time when I was very much out of balance. In fact, she still (perhaps unknowingly) helps me with balance in my life.

It has been a great joy to watch Rachel grow into a young adult. I admire her strength, independence, and perseverance. She is a talented writer, photographer, and dancer. Most importantly, Rachel is a wonderful person who has wisdom and common sense.

Is it time to quit gushing yet? I guess it is.

Any thoughts?

Gayle

Rachel in Croatia

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