“Right now, I know it seems like there’s no escape. That no matter how hard you try, how fast you run, how fiercely you try to claw your way to freedom from yourself, you sink deeper and deeper into the quicksand of shame and self-resentment. Dear Kahrin, you don’t believe this now, but you will be loved.”
“They throw tantrums over the most ridiculous things. They hit you and laugh in your face when you get hurt. But after all that, they come running when they have a boo-boo and want to be kissed goodnight. Stay-at-home-moms get a bad rep, but it’s the HARDEST job I’ve ever had.”
“People don’t talk about ‘women issues.’ ‘So many people out there have it WORSE.’ You’re labeled as dramatic, and doctors disregard what you’re feeling.”
“My whole body went numb, and I struggled to remain conscious. Our little girl was in distress.“
“Oh, my God. I could’ve died!’ I didn’t recognize my mental breakdown until I nearly stepped in front of a speeding bus.”
“I was unhinged. I used to imagine watching my children from heaven, making sure they were safe. I would visit the doctor, pleading for someone to help me. I didn’t know what was wrong with me.”
“We wanted a place of refuge. A place where people could share in changing the narrative surrounding what a life with a child with special needs is like. We wanted others to let go of their expectations and allow their children to surprise them with their resilience.”
“Having been at least 80 pounds lighter than I am now, I wake up with more energy and zest for life than I EVER did back then. I wouldn’t trade my fat body for anything in the world.”
“Two of my friends from church prayed for my pain to go away. The day after they prayed, the pain I felt VANISHED. I began focusing on ALL the blessings in my life.”
“’Oh, you are a gym rat! Your legs are always sore.’ I was a workaholic, so with my chest hurting and shortness of breath, I finished my shift. ‘I feel like I am going to die.’”
