Life often feels like a rollercoaster.
After the lows, the highs often follow! We have been reminded over the last few days what awesome friends we have, friends that are on the journey with us. On Friday we spent lunch time with a couple in their 80s we know. They are full of love, grace and wisdom. What a privilege to spend time with such beautiful people, who have yet again reminded us of why we do what we do with Alice. We felt both loved and encouraged by them.
We then spent the evening with an old work colleague of Charlie’s and his wife. We had fun reminiscing about stories from the past. Laughing is such a tonic! My sides literally hurt! Saturday we had our friends Tom and Rachel and their daughters over from Bristol.
Again, they just spent time encouraging us and reminding us that we are doing a good job. They only see Alice every few months so they notice a big difference – they see the progress that she has made. It’s sometimes hard for us to see it because we are with her every day. It is only when we take a step back and think about what she was like 3 years ago, 3 months ago and sometimes 3 weeks ago that we realise she is moving forward.
What is so lovely is that Tom and Rachel’s girls just pick up where they left off with Annie, Lauren and Alice. They’ve known Alice since the day she arrived. They don’t see her disability, they just play with her like they would any other family friend.
There are many times when we question what on earth are we doing – and ask ourselves if we are even making a difference! However, these past few days have been a good time of gaining a healthy perspective on things again! Its good to have friends, the kind you can call at any time of the day to share how you are feeling.
We realised how blessed we are to be surrounded with such lovely friends who support us.
I know we will be calling them again as the rollercoaster takes a turn!
A Less Ordinary Family Blog
