The Trip Of A Lifetime

If you are the parent of a child with special needs then you most likely have heard the poem "Welcome to Holland". It uses the analogy of being on a flight to a particular destination then, upon arrival, finding out you landed in a foreign country where you know no one and don't speak the language. Well, being the parent of a child with special needs is exactly like that.

Twenty four years ago, I was traveling along in life, enjoying the ride, thinking it was quite a lovely trip. Then one day without warning, my itenerary changed without prior notification. My destination was no longer where I wanted to go. "I didn't sign up for this", I protested. I felt like my complaints fell on deaf ears. "HELLO? Are you hearing me? This is NOT where I am supposed to be!" Still nothing. Then, I asked the million dollar question..."Why?"

Most of the time I love Holland. My favorite thing is the smiles. They are big, warm and unconditional. But I don't always like Holland. I especially dislike the pain and illness. Often there is a lot of those two things here. However, now that I am here, I never want to leave. Oh, I still dream of that other destination I had in mind so many years ago but leaving Holland would mean that I would have to do so without my sweet little B-man. Holland is his home, he knows nothing else...yet. I realize that one day we both must leave Holland and go our separate ways. It is not something I like to think about but I know it is there. We have been in Holland far longer than anyone predicted and for that, I am ever grateful.

My question has never been answered. I have learned to be amused by sudden changes in plans instead of annoyed. I have met people that I would have never gotten the chance to meet. I have been directed in a career path that I would have never pursued without this experience. But most of all I have learned to stop asking "Why" and instead to say "Thank You".

Yes, it was a shock to wake up in such a foreign country but it has become a most incredible journey filled with more love that I ever thought possible.

~Ginger