I read an article today which touched my heart-it was about being a “forever mom.” I never thought of myself as a “forever mom”- a mom of a child with disabilities who may never leave home because they need someone to care for them- right now I am that someone for my son Sean . Since Covid my middle son has been living with us which enables me to work without having to get outside help which has been a blessing in many ways. They are best of friends; a mom can only dream for that.

When Sean first got sick with epilepsy, we would go to the doctor’s office, and I would see children much more severe than him. Their parents had to do everything for them- feed them, change them, carrying them in some cases, I felt blessed that Sean was so capable of many activities of daily living- a term we use in the health field. I felt blessed and hopeful that he would heal, and he has- but he still needs someone to assist.

Everyone has their challenges, I have friends who have children who have died, others who have lost themselves to addiction and continue to struggle, and others still who have “normal” healthy lives to have gone off to college and beyond. My feeling is that we are all “forever Moms”- meaning once you give your heart to another human being in unconditional love- you are always there for them, emotionally mentally, spiritually if not physically.

When Sean was three, he told me he remembered being in heaven. He told me he had picked me, that he had a choice between coming to me or going to England where there was a pinball machine-and odd choice! I asked why he picked me-he gave a little three-year-old giggle and said- “Mom! I came to keep you company!”

I have since reminded him of our long-ago conversation letting him know- he has done a wonderful job but if he needs to move on- I will be okay! For now, and forever our bonds of love will never be broken- as love lives beyond time, space, death, and epilepsy.