5th Year Anniversary

[ryebaby0]

5 years ago next month, my son was dying.

5 years ago, he had already missed 2 months of school

5 years ago, his doctors were working as hard as they knew how to diagnose him

5 years ago, we didn't know it would get worse, much worse, before he got better

5 years ago I cried when I realized he would never eat a Ritz cracker again

5 years ago I cried when I threw out the toaster

5 years ago I cried when I thought nobody would invite him to a party

5 years ago, one door closed, and another opened....

Now my son is bigger than me, and thinks celiac is "no big deal"

Now my son is the top of his class, and his college of choice offers gluten-free meals

Now my son's doctors know the whole picture, and are ready for the next celiac

Now we know to embrace the good days

Now I cry, when I see him dressed for the dance

Now I cry, when his friends have a party and make all the food gluten-free

Now I cry, when my parents clear off a shelf for his food

Now I know that when one door closes, and another opens, it's okay to stand by the window.

But most of all, now I know that we could never make these journeys without each other. Because through the dark beginning days, the "muddled middle", the grieving, the crying, the celebrating, the small victories, you have always been there. So happy anniversary, from me and mine...

Joanna

[celiac-mommy]

Congratulations!

-now I'm crying

[GlutenGalAZ]

Congratulation!!

What a journey -- very touching

[kbtoyssni]

Congrats! I might be a little teary-eyed, too, after reading this one...

I don't have kids, but I'm pretty sure this is how all parents feel when they finally see their child get better. After I got diagnosed and started to heal my first big night out was a good friend's Bachelorette Party. My mother was so excited to see me go to that party because I was finally well enough to go out. Funny since most parents might not be so excited about a Bachelorette Party! You learn to not sweat the small stuff.

[ShayFL]

You got me too....beautifully put. Congratulations to you and yours.

[jerseyangel]

That was beautiful, Joanna

[lizard00]

Wow. That's an amazing story.

I felt a little teary eyed too. (sniff.... sniff...)

[spunky]

Very touching. I'm so happy for you... congratulations on 5 years, excellent health, and celiac becoming no big deal!!!!

[strawberrygm]

thanks so much for sharing that!!!

it gives hope to those of us just starting out!!!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I'm sending this to the father of one of my students--he's a GI doc.

Everyone, a framed printout of this would be a great Christmas gift for your doctor!