A quote I would like to share

[dannysmom]

I am reading the book For the Love of Matthew by Janice Houska. It is a very inspiring story about her son Matthew and growing up with ds. There is a quote in it from Winston Churchill that says:

It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.

That quote really stuck with me because I have to make a conscious effort to live more in the moment, rather than looking so far ahead. I find I worry about my son's potential future health problems instead of being grateful that his surgery went so well. I worry about his future development even though he is right on target now. I wanted to share the quote for anyone out there who feels like I do. I am trying to enjoy each day as a gift rather than worrying about what tomorrow may bring.

[nica1]

Thanks for sharing, I love it. I had to write it down to keep Monica

[ALLISA]

Thank you for that !

I find that I never look far ahead into the future because it is much too stressful to think about. Then I worry that I SHOULD be looking more into the future !

With a daughter with DS and a son with Diabetes....I can barely worry about today's problems, but Know that the future will hold possibly more and I feel like I should be planning and fixing them now....it's nice to know that I'm doing okay by NOT worrying too much about the future.....

I guess no matter what we do or don't do, we'll always be wondering if we are doing it right at all !

[bstrong]

Good quote, however I'm not sure if I can apply it to my world. I certainly am guilty of thinking about the future, not just for Little Peanut (DS), but for all my children. I also wonder what the future holds for me and my wife, it’s just human nature. I agree with Allisa, thinking about the years to come is stressful, but I think it’s something I need to do.

It is very rare that someone can plot out their life and actually follow their plan. Life is filled with obstacles, how we face these bumps in the road will determine if we persevere. Primarily, I think it’s a good idea to confront only the current issues we face, but we still need to look forward to give ourselves hope, not everything the future holds is depressing.

My thoughts of the future are usually:
a) Will my Peanut have a fulfilling life?
b) What kind of effect is it going to have on my two typical children growing up with Peanut (I’m sure it’s going to be positive)?
c) What kind of advancements will there be in medicine for when Peanut is ready to have lens implant surgery?
d) Will my wife and I be able to retire and enjoy our golden years?

Obviously not a complete list, but I think you get the idea.

I guess what we really need to do is stay focused on the now and look forward to the future.

[momofrussell]

Great quote!

I am not one to worry about things that aren't there. My motto is I only worry once it's time to worry. I do think though that planning and thinking of your (or your childs) future and STRESSING about it are two different things. Living for the moment is necessary but if you have some long term goal or something, sometimes your "living for the moment" has to justify the end result. If that makes sense.

Dannysmom.. I think you are doing a great job and comming to terms with things on your plate and you need to give yourself credit for this! In time, it does become a bit easier. And if you naturally worry more then the next guy, at least you are identifying it so you can be the best you can for yourself, family and your little guy!

Hugs!

A.

[andrewsmom]

I also enjoyed that quote, and copied it myself. I'm guilty of trying to look too far into the future, not only for Andrew but my whole family. I guess I would agree it might be best (for me) to keep an eye on the future but not sooo far ahead, kwim?

[Jackie]

for 25 years I have ridden both sides of this quote......... ;D

I have tried very much to live in Emily's "present"...but I never give up my hopes and dreams for her "future"

Right now I think we are actually residing in the "future"....the future I often worried about. Even as we speak she is once again preparing for another move....she is about to leave permanently for Austin TX where she will live and work for the next few months as a nanny for her sister Katie. Then when we are all sure that all parties are happy with this...we will have her support services transferred to Travis County and she will hopefully begin a job search. To make sure this move is "permanent" ...Em has packed up everything in her room into boxes...(not all will fit in our car) and her room is now looks very empty. She really just intended to spend two weeks here this summer but some circumstances intervened and she was home for almost 3 months. She made it known often, however, that this was just temporary...LOL.

I really can say ...bstrong.....that her dad and I do believe that we will have the normal retirement and freedom from responsibility that we all long for after a certain age....(in our case almost 60). I also feel like Emily herself is the one in charge of her future and we are just along for support.....It DOES happen....they do get potty trained....walk....talk.....graduate from HS....go on to programs in colleges....get into trouble.....have jobs..get drunk.....fall in love.....everything other kids and young adults do.....It really has not been that much different from my older 3 kids....in fact easier in many ways. It is just that Em came with a label and because of that a disproportionate amount of focus.

But...looking back .....it's been ever so much fun.....lots of good times....and the frustrations seem to sort of disappeared in my mind ...much like dreams you have do upon waking.

We just got back from a farewell party in her honor at the artist's mall where I have my studio...she spent almost every day this summer with me painting....and made lots of really nice friends out there.....soooooo....once again here she goes....taking another major step in her life journey. Your children will do this too.

Jackie mom to Emily 25

[Valerie]

Wonderful quote! And I agree with it whole heartedly! Although I do have goals in mind for Nicholas, just as I do for my other son, I don't obsess about the future, nor do I think there would be any point to it.

To go a step further, I don't think it would be good for us to know the future. My family has had a LOT of VERY stressful stuff happen in the past 2 yrs, and I do mean a LOT. We've just kind of met each obstacle and soldiered on. (No other option! ) We have had soooooo many people tell us they don't know how we handled it all. Well, to be honest, if I had known what was going to occur, I would have felt the same, buried my head in the sand, and not come up for two years!! But, as it was, we just plodded along, got through each thing, and here we are on the other side! Stronger, better, happy... but I would NOT have wanted to know it all ahead of time.

The future is laid out before us...no point fretting about it!

[CC]

THANKS for sharing that quote ;D Definitely one I can use I have been trying very hard lately to keep in check when I am stressing over the future or planning for the future such different things BUT Many times those two get crossed for me, KWIM ?? and I need to sit back and remind myself of that

CC ~