{"id":1223,"date":"2012-08-29T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2012-08-29T12:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/?p=1223"},"modified":"2012-08-29T08:00:42","modified_gmt":"2012-08-29T12:00:42","slug":"serendipity-its-a-movie-and-a-way-we-should-be-parenting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/serendipity-its-a-movie-and-a-way-we-should-be-parenting\/","title":{"rendered":"Serendipity: It’s a movie AND a way we should be parenting"},"content":{"rendered":"

A friend of mine once reminded me of a movie that has long been a favorite of mine, \u00a0Serendipity<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.\u00a0 It\u2019s a great movie to watch this time of year because it shows NYC in all\u00a0 its holiday splendor.<\/p>\n

Watching it again, got me to thinking about the word serendipity and what it means \u2013 the effect by which one accidentally stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.\u00a0 I love what it means almost as much as I love the way it sounds.\u00a0 Serendipity.\u00a0 Say it and tell me you aren\u2019t smiling.\u00a0 Serendipity.<\/p>\n

When I got pregnant with Jacob I was overcome with emotion \u2013 excitement, fear, wonder, and even sadness because my father would never know him.\u00a0 But I wanted this baby so badly that even the negative emotions couldn\u2019t ruin it for me.\u00a0 I wanted my own perfect little bundle of chubbiness to love.<\/p>\n

And while I got exactly what I asked for, I also got something I didn\u2019t ask for \u2013 a special needs child.\u00a0 For two years I carried on unaware that what the future held for me was more fear, and more uncertainty than I could have imagined.<\/p>\n

I knew Jacob was different from the beginning, but I didn\u2019t realize the extent of his differences until around age 3 or 4.\u00a0 And I\u2019d be lying if I said I wasn\u2019t mad or disappointed when the truth hit me.\u00a0 My \u201cperfect\u201d child was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well as anxiety disorder by the time he was 8.<\/p>\n

I spent years trying to \u201cfix\u201d him but as serendipity would have it I have realized that while I was searching for the perfect child, I found something far more rewarding.\u00a0 I found a purpose.\u00a0 In the midst of the challenges that Jacob\u2019s TS and OCD have presented I discovered that I may not have a perfect child but I was given a perfect opportunity to make a difference, not just in my life or my family\u2019s life, but in the lives of complete strangers.<\/p>\n

I have had many mother\u2019s pick up the phone and call me when they see my number displayed on one of the Tourettes Awareness videos that Jacob and I have done.\u00a0 And in talking with these women it has helped me heal.<\/p>\n

Yesterday I was eating lunch when the phone rang.\u00a0 I looked down at the number and decided not to answer it because I didn\u2019t recognize the caller. After a few rings I reached down to turn the ringer off and picked it up instead.\u00a0 On the other end I heard a quiet voice say, \u201cI was trying to reach the support group.\u201d She was calling from Montana \u2013 a long, long way from Georgia, but we talked for a long while and cried a bit too.<\/p>\n

We talked again today and she told me that connecting with another mother who understands what she\u2019s going through has helped her feel a bit better. And to think I almost didn\u2019t answer the phone.\u00a0 I feel better when I share my story because in the beginning of my own journey I didn\u2019t have a\u00a0 \u201cbeen there done that\u201d person.<\/p>\n

Serendipity.\u00a0 Fate.\u00a0 A God-send.\u00a0 Miracle. Call it what you will, I don\u2019t believe in coincidence or chance. I believe that things happen for a reason.<\/p>\n

How has serendipity played a part in your own life?\u00a0 Look a little closer, you might be surprised.<\/p>\n

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