At 5:30 I threw my hands up in the air and decided to head to the gym. Today was one of those days where I seemed to be working really hard yet nothing seemed to be getting done. After numerous interruptions and multiple hours of filling out insurance forms, I had been fighting with my scanner software for over an hour. I was up to my eyeballs in frustration when I headed out the door.
The workout took the edge off, but I didn’t find true happiness until I ran into a couple I met 17 years ago via my son’s kindergarten class out in the parking lot on the way back to my car. We exchanged stories about our kids and chatted about this website. As I strolled back to the car, I smiled at the thought of how many great people I got to know along the way as a result of our family’s food allergy journey.
Without food allergies, I don’t know if it would have crossed my mind to volunteer as much as I did. I’ve always been a busy person and before giving birth I had some big plans in place for the day the last one headed off to kindergarten. But as food allergies would have it, I decided to get involved and venture down the volunteer path. I met lots of terrific moms, dads, teachers, students, school administrators, athletes, grandparents, janitors, musicians, soccer coaches, referees, basketball coaches, politicians, neighbors, friends of friends, good doctors, not so good doctors, nurses, restauranteers, volunteers, grocery store managers, pharmacy technicians and of course more kids. Food allergies incented me to get involved in my community and to know who my sons were with at many stages along the way. And I wouldn’t want to trade in those experiences and friendships.
When I sat through each of my sons’ graduations, my heart was happy because I knew so many of the kids in their respective classes of 250+ students. From computer lab mom, to soccer coach, to basketball score keeper, to rock and roll band driver, I had the opportunity to meet the people influencing the lives of my children. And for that, I am grateful. Thank you food allergies!
Ann
Tags: food allergies
