my cousin, shannon, left this as a comment one day on a blog post & it really stuck with me. It's a nice reminder of why I am tired with this patching business. It's hard, but so worth it. I saved his patches for a few days (literally, we go through more than this amount in 2 days, but these were the ones that I could salvage) & wrote the quote in it, so I can have it as a reminder.
Two things in this post.
First, I was talking at lunch, I can't remember what about, and I said something about, "One of my eye moms..." And, a friend said, "Oh, EYE moms. I thought you meant imoms, like ipad or ipod."
Excellent.
I realized that is such a better name! Think about it, all of Apple products are designed to make people's lives better, just like the imoms! I am reading Steve Jobs' biography and he said, "The consumer doesn't know what they want until we show them." (possible paraphrasing there) and I think even that is relevant. I had no idea when I started this blog that Anderson was going to be diagnosed with a cataract or that I was going to spend the next years of my life chasing around a very active boy with a bandaid. But, I also didn't know I was going to find such support in all of the imoms out there! I didn't even know I needed you guys :) I love it.
So, my next thing is that I am (yet again) in the acceptance stage of the Eye. Or, at least back to somewhere on the outskirts of it. I have realized that I am so, so, so much luckier than so many moms out there. What on earth do I have to complain about? While this patching all day thing is the Hardest. Thing. I've. Ever. Done. In.My. Life, my kid has a "situation" that requires constant attention, but is not fatal and will not drastically impair his ability to live a normal life even in the worst case scenario.
But, even better, we have a chance. I realized how many moms in awful situations, where they are really watching their kids struggle or be in pain, would love to just have a chance to make it better. I think the best attempt at putting into words what being a mom is on airplanes where the emergency info says, "You must put your oxygen on first or you will be unable to help your child!" There is even a little picture of it to demonstrate. I love this because it clearly recognizes that helping yourself first goes against every single speck of instinct that makes up being a mom. The airline basically has to tell you it will hurt your kid if you don't do this. My point is all moms love their kids beyond anything imaginable. Many moms who are struggling with things way worse than I am would love to be in this situation where I have a chance to fix it.
I am so thankful for this, even on the days when I complain a lot, I promise I realize how lucky I am .
I will take my chance and run with it.
And, kick it's butt.
:) |
You are lucky that you have made new friends who are in the same situation as you. It is hard to understand how one little patch can consume every 'minute' of your day. I am so proud of you. As I say every day, Anderson is lucky to have you as his Bobble. I think by staying positive it might make the patching a little easier.(even though there are many frustrating days) P.S. I love the eye patch. picture.
ReplyDeleteThe eye patch poster is amazing. So creative. And you won't regret one second - not when Anderson is a handsome teenager driving his girlfriend to the prom. (insert tear right there)
ReplyDeleteThere are many moms out there that are dealing with painful situations that they cannot control or even help. My heart hurts for them. It is good to be reminded that we are dealing with something that we can at least attempt to correct. And as much as I hate hearing, "At least she has one good eye," it is true. She has one good eye. Even if none of the patching, surgeries, etc works - she has one good eye. I know she can see. Sometimes it is hard to see the forest for the trees (or the vision for the patches - or in our case the lost contacts!)
You make me proud to be another imom!
IMoms. Of course.
ReplyDeleteLove the collage. Love the champ. Love the chance.
iMom!!!!! I LOVE IT! :)
ReplyDeleteNot much else to add here. Just want to say that I agree with all that you posted. The poster is AWESOME!
That collage is so cool! As usual you turned lemons into lemonade or eye patches into art!
ReplyDeletei am ridiculously flattered. also, i didn't realized it when you sent me the pic that the background was used patches. genius.
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ReplyDeleteI'm totally in for officially changing "our" name... iMoms, LOVE it! You all by far make my life better with every post I read. I truly don't know where I would be in this journey without the support and strength of all our stories. The chance, the hope is why I continue. And those patches just prove that we are one patch closer to the chance of better vision. Love it, love it, love it!!! I also love you that are talking about us at lunch! ;)
ReplyDeleteI did not even realize that was a collection of patches at first. It is a wonderful thing for you to have and take inspiration from.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, wonderful, and doing a fabulous job!!
Excellent post :) I love when you talk about your Imoms. It sounds like a group of super heroes which - to be honest - is very true :)
ReplyDeleteDo you think you could create an iPatch? One that gets better each time you put it on... one that stays on... one that all the cool kids want? :)
ReplyDeleteLove the post! Love the name change! iMom it is! I also love the vision of us all being superheroes!
Love the patch artwork!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE NEW BLOG NAME!!! And the patch artwork is so creative! What you are doing for your little boy as well as the other imoms out there is just incredible. It is comforting to know that others go through the same things as you go through no matter how big or small. Keep up the awesome work!
ReplyDeleteI love it. You are helping so many other iMoms (and moms in general) by being honest about your experience. I think you just created the iMom slogan!
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