A Friend

A year ago when I walked into Maggie's first gymnastics class I could never have guessed I would meet a woman who would become a good friend. I spent many Wednesday afternoons sharing, discussing and laughing about many topics with my friend Lisa. It was always enjoyable and a much needed respite from the craziness of life.

During our hours spent hanging in the gymnastics lobby, we learned we shared a common bond. Our children had chronic health issues. The issues are very different but the frustrations, fears and sometimes even anger are the same. We both also share a strong faith in God. Again our faiths are very different but very strong in our lives and family. This woman was a blessing sent to help me walk through the craziness that life with pidd had become.

I strongly believe that God puts people in our life at the right time. Lisa came at one of those moments where I felt pretty alone on this journey. She shared her experiences and listened to mine. After our year of gymnastics was over, we have kept in touch. We have been out a couple times to just share what is happening in our lives. Each time I have walked away feeling as if God just knew that I needed a friend who was in the same lifeboat as me. Someone who was trying to steer and navigate around all kinds of medical interventions and jargon.

Recently some friendships have been stressed and even some ended. I feel like this was due to changes in me and stresses in my life due to my kids' conditions. It has had its hard moments when I realized the toll that this situation can take on our life. At the same time that those doors closed, God opened a window. He blessed me with Lisa as a friend. She is someone who has supported and encouraged me, not only in my kids' medical situations, but in life. I am grateful to have met her and all because my daughter is obsessed with gymnastics!