YOU

You have learnt to cope with everything life throws at you

The smile on your face often hides the pain that you feel inside

You have become an expert at hiding your feelings

Sometimes the mask slips and raw emotions threaten to bubble to the surface

You fight it, make a joke

The smile returns

It’s the little things that make you happy now

Seeing a hand reaching for a toy

The little things can also make you feel sad

Watching a child run to it’s Mother

You are good at splitting yourself into many parts

There may be others around you who also need your time and love

You give it without question

Later in the darkness of the night you feel guilty for not having time enough

You are not alone, there are other people who do what you do

Like you belong to some exclusive club but don’t know all the members

You sometimes want to leave this club

Cancelling your membership is not an option

You may work and if you do your colleagues never get to hear your worries

They remain private, you think they would not understand

You no longer have an active social life,

You tell yourself you prefer it that way

You do not allow yourself to look too far into the future

It can be too painful

Just one day at a time is often sufficient

You sometimes want to scream at the world

There are days when you wonder why

But you get over it

You have no time for self pity

 

You ARE strong

You take caring to a new level

Your love has no boundaries

It is unconditional

You see hope when others see tragedy

You see beauty when others turn away

The world is a better place for people like you around

You are the parent of a special needs child

By Anne Hawkes