While emotional support was not available in my family there was love. It was shown in a more pragmatic manner. This was especially true of my mother and she demonstrated this the most during the first six weeks of my illness.
I was sure I had a “curable” illness and would be going back to work soon. So I worked with my employer on what was required to maintain my employment while I was unable to get out of bed let alone perform my job duties. They required a weekly note from my doctor stating that I was unable to work. This is when my mother’s support kicked into high gear.
Once a week my mother would come over to my home. She would half-carry me to the bath and help me wash my hair. She would change my sheets and then lift me out of the tub and blow dry my hair. Then she would half-carry me back to the bedroom and dress me as if I was a toddler, brush my hair and then half-carry me downstairs to the car (we lived in the upper level of a duplex) and take me to the doctor. I would never have been able to do any of this on my own. Keep in mind she did this without complaint every week for six weeks in a row.
We may not always get the support or love we believe we want or even deserve, but God knows the type of love and support we need and provides it when it is most needed. I have learned to be patient with parents who did not always understand what I needed emotionally but have always been thankful for parents who showed up in the worst situations of my life with the most practical and helpful assistance. God knew exactly what He was doing when he placed me into an adoption situation where I was chosen by the people who would be some of the best helpers I would need.
God knows what we need before we need it.
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