Happy

I wasn't sure what to title this post but wanted to write when I am happy since I usually only write when I am feeling down. I have been very happy and content lately. Whenever the burden of Progeria is not weighing heavy on my heart, I try to determine the reason for the change my perspective. Here are my thoughts. We are moving forward so quickly with the fundraising which is so exciting. There are so many people working so hard for our boys and other children with Progeria. I received the annual report from Progeria Research Foundation yesterday and their tagline "Together We Will Find A Cure" has reinvigorated me. We are so fortunate to be included in the clinical trial and any other trials in the future.

One of the things that I enjoy most in life is spending time as a family doing normal things. Yesterday Mark took the day off to take the boys to the dentist {whole different story}. In the afternoon Libby had Color Day {formerly known as Field Day} and we all went over to the school. Having Mark off from work and spending time with him was really fun. His job is so stressful and between that and dealing with the kids we spend most of time talking who is taking what kids to what appointment, making telephone calls or completing paperwork. Being at Color Day with my husband and three kids, cheering and socializing with other parents....that is what I signed up for! These are the things in life that I love!

I have said in the past that I often feel like we are in a bubble right now that is safe for everyone. The boys don't really understand yet that they are different and Libby does not have to know the prognosis for her brothers. I talked to her the other day and told her that soon people will be asking her why her brothers look the way they do. I asked her what she planned to say. She did not know so I told her she could tell them that Nathan and Bennett have Progeria. She did not think that was a good idea, suggesting instead that she tell people they have special needs. Her reasoning was that if her peers then looked up what the boys had and then told her things that scared her. What a cutie! So I told her that was perfectly fine. It reminded me that this process of coming out of the bubble is happening and its not as bad as the anticipation of it all. Then at Color Day some boys were staring at Nathan and Bennett and whispering. It did not hurt as much as I thought! Our boys look different, but they are the same as every other kid. My boys may not be able to do tug of war but there are lots of other ways they can participate in Color Day.

Lately I have been able to focus on enjoying one day at a time rather than worrying about the future. One of the things that has helped me came about in an unusual way. Libby has been having a lot of anxiety regarding The Rapture. On Friday she came home from school, crying because the kids on the bus told her that the world was ending on Saturday. We had a rough weekend and poor Libby had physical symptoms of anxiety, racing heartbeat, shaking etc. Even though Saturday has passed, she is still concerned. In trying to help her with her anxiety I explained that if you want a flower to grow big and strong, you give it lots of attention in the way of water, plant food and sun. Anxiety works the same way. If you give your worry lots of attention in the way of thinking about it and talking about it, the worry will grow! Well it did not help Libby too much but this elementary concept seemed to work for me. When feel sad at pulling out a pair of 2T shorts for Nathan {for the third year in a row} I am able to push that thought aside. Plus I put Bennett in school for a few hours on Mondays and Wednesdays with Nathan. Having some time to get things done makes me a happy girl! Well off to a Poetry Lunch at Libby's school, Ear Check-up for Bennett, Kindergarten Parent Orientation and Softball Game tonight! Busy Busy!