Vulnerability

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.” —Brene Brown

I know it may seem strange, since I share my whole life on here, that I sometimes have a hard time sharing my story, but it’s true. Sometimes I’m afraid to share about Olivia’s diagnosis. I’m afraid people will treat me differently, will treat her differently, and so sometimes I don’t share.

This week was International Cri du Chat week and I shared all over the place. I told my students all about Olivia, I told my staff at work, I posted something on our school website, I shared on Facebook. I was nervous about sharing that with my students and staff. I just was. But the outpouring of support and love we received was amazing.

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” —Brene Brown

My students and the staff all wore one long and one short sock. Olivia’s school announced that it was “Olivia spirit day” and the staff and students wore socks for her. Her former teachers and many of my friends and family all proudly wore their socks in support of my girl and our family. Many of my students and a few of the staff asked wonderful questions about Olivia. A few staff members read my blog and had really sweet and kind things to say. A couple of my male (surprised?) students somehow found my blog (I try to keep that private but they find me anyway) and shared that they read all of my posts and learned a lot about Cri du Chat and my life. One even read all of my Flashback series! My Facebook, Instagram and Twitter was filled with socks galore. It made my heart so very happy to see all of the support.

It was a wonderful, humbling reminder that it’s a good thing to be vulnerable, to put yourself out there, even if you’re afraid. Because even though you might receive some negative comments, or feel uncomfortable sharing at first, the outpouring of support and love far outweighs any bad that might happen.

“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.” —Brene Brown