I have discussed before how important a support network is; and my travels to Colorado has done nothing but reinforce my belief in that. I have known from the beginning that with out my support network has helped to keep me sane, and being some place new, with out them there with/for me, has proved that thought. So how did this trip help me grow to appreciate me support network more?
When I am home, I can run to the store for whatever we need on the spur of the moment without having to drag Jonathan with me every time. Whether I am just running to go get a gallon of milk, or do this weeks shopping, if Jonathan doesn’t want to go with, he doesn’t have to. This was not the case while traveling. He had to come with me every where I went. The only exception to this was when I went to the suctioning class and he stayed with my brother-in-law. Had I thought that he wouldn’t have too many questions, and interrupt too often, he would have come with to that as well.
When Jonathan just needs someone to play with, there are several people I can call and say, “Why don’t you bring ‘so-and-so’ over for an hour or two for some play time?” or “Can I bring Jonathan over for some play time?” In Colorado, with those people thousands of miles away, that wasn’t possible. When Jonathan wanted someone to play with, I was the only option. (Poor child).
If, for some reason, my own car is unavailable at any point in time, I can call one of several people in my support network and ask for a ride somewhere. Again, with everyone thousands of miles away, this wasn’t possible. If we wanted to go somewhere, walking was pretty much the only option for us.
Even just finding an ear to listen when I needed to vent about something, or wanted to talk to someone at the end of the day was not easily accomplished. Granted, I had my cell phone, but being that I am in a different time zone, it wasn’t easy calling them at a decent time. Also with a pay per minute cell phone, it got to be pretty expensive.
To those of you who don’t have a support network, I can’t imagine being in your shoes. I can’t suggest strongly enough that you start building one. To those of you that do have one, make sure you let them know that you appreciate them and their support. Without them, things could get really hectic.