One of Matt’s best friends had a baby last year with lots of unexpected complications. Baby is doing well overall but does have some special needs, does lots of therapies, etc.
They have isolated themselves. Initially just to keep the baby healthy, understandably. But nearly a yearly later the friend very much admitted to Matt that seeing everyone’s “normal” kids only reinforces that their kiddo doesn’t get to lead a normal life and that we should expect them to skip every birthday party, cookout, etc. for the rest of forever because it just makes it harder for them.
They have every right to feel that way and can/should do whatever feels right for them. But it breaks my heart. You cannot shut out everyone in your life. You cannot go through all of this by yourselves.
I don’t know what to do. And I’m not going to do anything, really. We will continue to invite and include them but we cannot make them come. We cannot make them accept love and support. We cannot pretend to know what it’s like to be in their shoes.











