I've been attending a ladies Bible study on Thursday mornings at our church here in Granbury. It has been such a blessing for me to get to know these women better. I've also learned so much from them already, some who have experienced hurts and trials much worse than I could ever imagine. They've all been quick to bring me in, give me their support and love. Their faith and strength is example to me. This was read by the study leader, Penny this past Thursday. It is intended for parents of special needs children, but I think it can apply to all of us who thought life was going to be one way, but it turned out much different than expected. I know I'm slowly learning to appreciate Holland.
WELCOME TO HOLLAND
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."
But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
Emily Perl Kingsley
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2 comments:
Amy, I have read that story so many times in so many contexts but it never loses its significance. And I think it links perfectly with the verse in Philippians 4:11 that says, "For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Italy, Holland . . . God is working His will either way and you are blessed because of it!
Amy, glad to hear you are connecting with some special girls @ Gcoc. Nat and I knew you and your husband would fit in just fine when we first met you. Sorry we did not get a chance to know you better before we had to move. I have a blog too and feel free to read it when you need a laugh. Our life is pretty crazy!
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