post traumatic growth

I heard this phrase again on the radio today, the idea that pain opportunes growth. After a long period of healing, growth can come again, and wants to, bearing new and important fruit.

Today my son and I went to a bouncy house to meet up with his best friend, his parents and little brother. They are new and good friends and it is so nice to hang out with them.

This comes just weeks after my son's fourth birthday party where we invited his two friends over. It was a huge deal for me. I didn't want to do it at all. It felt overwhelming and scary. So many details, so much to worry about, people to talk to and invite in.

Growing up, we never had birthday parties. Never had any friends over to the house. No one was allowed in.

Some strategic planning support and encouragement from a dear friend and colleague, combined with a lot of talking gently to myself in an understanding way when the worries came up, in addition to cleaning furiously, made the dream happen.

We are growing.

Ready for the guests