A Time of Respite

respite

: a period of temporary delay

– Merriam Webster

For many, the word respite refers to a break in caregiving. Today, I am using it differently.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the day that started the Lenten season for Christians. Many people choose to give something up for Lent, and some take on new things. I have decided that during these 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter, I will be posting each day. So here we are.

Over the past few months, life has been a struggle. For the past quarter-century, I have been dealing with chronic heart conditions. During this time, I have learned how to work the medical system and deal with my challenges. Some days are great, and some are not. But what I was not and currently am not prepared to deal with is another family member with a chronic condition, especially when they are a teenager.

As a parent, you do not want to see your child in pain. When you do see them in pain, you want to do everything to take it away from them, and when you can’t, it hurts you emotionally. Our daughter has been experiencing migraines for several years but has gotten exponentially worse over the past 4 – 6 months. During this time, we have tried several treatments and medications that have not been helpful. The pain is constant, and the headache has not abated since early November. We have joked about buying it a birthday cake each month.

Seeing your teenager suffering and not able to be with her friends or go to church or school is hard. It is more challenging than anything I have experienced. So, life has been hard over the past few months, yet I am hopeful that today is better than yesterday.

Lent is here, and I hope this space (blog and newsletter) will be filled with hope, love, and gratitude. We celebrate the most significant expression of these on Easter. – B