Gut-punched

I was all set today to extol the virtues of hi-def television after having it all set up yesterday. But, I read something this morning that just knocked the wind right of my sails.

As I usually do upon arriving to work in the morning, I set about taking a look at what happened in the blogosphere overnight. Oftentimes, I take a look first at those I consider my blogamigos - ones I've corresponded with outside of comments and the like. Chag, aka Cynical Dad, is one of those with whom I've chatted about music, Yankees/Sox, etc. He was also a founding writer at DadCentric when we first got up and running.  That's why this post hit me so hard.  He and his wife, Ella, recently learned their son, Zed, has autism.

I can't speak about what they're going through; I can't even begin to understand the tidal wave of emotions they must be enduring. I see it every day and every day it rips my heart out. It's emotionally draining -- I honestly do not know how people work in this area for as long as they do, let alone how parents cope with it on a daily basis. I know I find myself on the verge of tears more often than not during the work day and, after arriving home, I'll hug Little Dub a little closer and a little longer or look into the eyes of Little Dubyette and hold her hand just a tad tighter while a silent prayer runs through my head.

I've never met Chag or Ella.  I've never met VampDaddy or Robert or any of the other dads and moms who are going through or have gone through these life-altering, soul-sucking, emotionally draining events. Their accounts are filled with raw emotion; their blogs a means of catharsis. Somehow, some way, I feel connected to them because of it, albeit in a very anonymous way. Their experiences have forced me to take stock of the way I look at life. I vaingloriously look to the future, certain that it will unfold just as I figure it will. But we all know that karma, fate or what have you has a tendency to bitch slap the prideful. So, rather than tempt these vengeful, ethereal entities, I will take one day at a time, one milestone at a time. I will be thankful and I will pray.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Chag and Ella during this very trying and difficult time.

cross-posted at Mr. Big Dubya