A Day in the Life

Earlier today I tweeted and posted a Facebook message that went like this:

"You know when your so happy you could cry? That's how I feel RIGHT NOW!!!!!"

Let me backtrack so you can understand why I felt that way: Over the past 2 week, I have been driving my daughter across Westchester County from Yonkers to Mamaroneck to a teen travel camp that meets for the entire month of July and finishes the first week of August.  The 4th of July was extremely stressful in that Alexa doesn't like fireworks cause of the noise and her sensory dysfunction.  That coupled with the anticipation of starting something camp the very next day which was new and unfamiliar, it was a scary and intense time for for her and then in turn for all of us.

I knew deep down she would enjoy interacting with others if she could just overcome her fear.  I wanted to force her out of her comfort zone cause I believed that she could reap the rewards of jumping in head first.  The first week was very difficult.  She went that first day on Tuesday and I knew it would be just what she needed.  When I picked her up later on that day, she was upset and said she wasn't going back.  Wednesday she went again however reluctantly having a meltdown in the morning due to her anxiety.  Last Thursday was the most horrendous day.  This meltdown was the worst ever.  The hardest part is how her behavior has affected my husband and my son.  I already know what its doing to me as her mom but I have been fortunate to discipline myself with focusing on my health & fitness.  This has helped me keep a positive outlook and remain optimistic.

Another week went by and she was slowly getting acclimated to hanging around with other teens in the camp.  She was now forming friendships and I couldn't be happier.  This has been the missing piece for a very long time. 

So this morning, I dropped Alexa off at camp and decided to stop and chat with the director.  Alexa wanted me to meet a boy that she wanted to introduce to me.  Just seeing how Alexa was interacting with the other girls and how much they enjoyed seeing her was PRICELESS!  I feel that she belongs to a group of friends who get her!  Looking at her face and seeing how happy she was for me is like hitting the lottery!  There have been many ups and downs this past year.   We all have worked so hard to help her get to where she is at this exact time.  If it weren't for the tireless commitment of her therapist, Jacqui, this would not have been possible. 

For the past 2 weeks, my schedule has been like this:  drive her by 9 a.m. to Mamaroneck then shoot across 287 to Tarrytown and work until 2:30 p.m. then zip back to Mamaroneck and pick her up by 3 p.m.  During the week she sees her therapist 2-3 times per week and now cheerleading practice has just started.  That's another commitment that's at least 3-4 times per week. 

I know in the end it will be so worth it!