I learn every day from my children, but one memory stands out clearly in my mind.
I have 5 beautiful children, Zachary (16), Virgil (13), Haleigh (10), Hannah (7) and
Caleb (5). Haleigh and Hannah were born with a very severe disorder known as Ohtahara
Syndrome. In the first year of Haleigh's life she had 18 extended stays in the
pediatric ICU. I struggled so much with my need to be with Haleigh in the hospital and
the knowledge that I had other children at home that needed their mother. One day, when
my Zachary was just barely 7 years old, I took him for a walk on our farm. I tried in the
best way I knew how to explain that I loved him very much and that I was sorry I was away
so much. I have this habit of going on and on to make my point and this was no exception.
Finally, this precious little boy stopped and took my hand and turned me toward him. "It's
okay, Mommy," he said. "What matters most right now is that you help Haleigh get better so
she can come home." I dropped to my knees and sobbed on the shoulder of that young man. He
did an amazing job of holding me up when I needed him.
Jude Thomas is co-founder of the Eden
Alternative, working with her husband Dr. Bill Thomas.
She is currently involved in a fascinating project following what she describes as a
"transformative journey" to Chartres, France, where she learned about labyrinths. She is
building a permanent, handicapped-accesible Labyrinth at their Summer Hill Retreat in
Sherburne, NY and is incorporating it into their leadership training and team building.
