Sept 2017:

There are things that happen to us, things we never expect to see. Words we’re never prepared to hear. Moments that will change us forever.

As a mom, I’ve had many such moments.

The truth is, I’m still learning. Learning how to be the mom she needs me to be.

This has taken me a very long time, but I’ve finally learned to seek the perspective of those who understand.

I’ve learned that I cannot expect those to understand, who are incapable of doing so. For those who’ve never been directly impacted by it cannot really know what it’s like. “It” being whatever it is you may be going through.

Those with a compassionate heart can try, but the truth is how could you possibly know what I need when I don’t even know myself?!

I now see why it’s always felt like such a heavy burden to carry, and even more difficult to share. I’ve been looking in all the wrong places.

Soul searching my instincts have always led me to struggle on my own. When I would open up, and you (being whomever) were incapable of understanding what I was going through, I felt misunderstood leading me to further isolate. Etcetera, and so on.

It really doesn’t need to be this complicated! I mean just imagine, how would it feel to find a support system equipped to truly comprehend what it feels like to watch your own child self-destruct. I get it. I finally understand.

You can do it alone, but trust me when I tell you it’s going to take you a helluva lot longer and it’s going to mean so much more suffering for you and the addict.

To those who are reading this, whatever you may be going through please don’t fight “it” alone. Seek those who get it. And don’t go about it casually, seek support with urgency. With the same level of urgency, you would if it was to help save a loved one. This time it’s you who needs help.

Xo