Most people that know me also know that I really do not like thunderstorms. I’m not sure when my fear happened but ever since I remember, I truly hated thunderstorms. One of my earliest memories happened when there was a really bad storm one night. I think I was 7 or 8 years old and it was 11pm. The thunder made ridiculous loud sounds and my dad sat with me as the lightening lit up the sky and thunder crashed the air. My dad put on my radio and it played “Shout, Shout le it all out these are the things I could do without….”
When I wrote this blog, the thunder crashed outside and flashing lightning. My response is usually to crawl as fast as I can to hide in the hallway. I like the hallway because it’s in the middle of my house without any windows. However, I try to be strong for my daughter and now son. Some years ago during a storm, she felt a little nervous, and she said “Well Mommy I am only three.” I couldn’t argue that. My son is much more anxious like me and he likes looking at the radar on my iPad.
Jeff, my husband, has also helped me overcome a lot of my fears. I had many fears before I met him. Everyone told me how strong I am before I met him because of dealing with my late husband’s suicide, single motherhood and CP. However, I just had to overcome for my own sake and my child. But with fears, we often allow them take over our minds irrationally. Jeff helped me look at the bright side. Life doesn’t have to be full of pain and disappointments. Life can be happy with some sadness.
The fact that I’m still typing as we’re in a pretty strong thunderstorm is a true testament to how much I changed. Usually the first sign of lightening I would be in the hallway praying Hail Mary’s. It’s true that I probably cannot sleep through a storm yet but at least I’m not in a state of panic.
Being A Parent To A Child With Disabilities
