Who knew socks could mean so much?

I just received confirmation that my sock order has shipped. I’m so excited! I’m not typically that excited about socks but this time is different. I ordered these: Jefferies Seamless Toe Socks. These socks will mean happier mornings at my house and better days at school for my 8-year-old.

I recently realized that my son has some fairly strong sensory issues. After months of frustration (for both of us) every morning when getting dressed, it occurred to me that perhaps his cries about his socks “hurting” him or his jeans being too uncomfortable to wear were more than just the typical mother-son argument over attire. I did some research and made an appointment with his doctor.

Turns out, my kiddo has been dealing with some serious sensory issues all of his life. His socks did, in fact, hurt. I had no idea that was even possible. I did what I think many of us do–I didn’t really listen to my son. I wrongly assumed that he was simply complaining without cause and that he needed to just deal with it–a phrase that now makes me cringe. It is painful as a parent to realize that your child has been trying desperately to tell you something and you simply weren’t listening.

The relief on my little boy’s face when we talked about his sensory issues for the first time was overwhelming. It was heartbreaking. And it was confirmation that we needed to change some things.

Simple changes have helped. No more jeans, for example. This was a big change for us–I discovered the majority of his winter clothes were an issue. However, I also discovered that there are an incredible number of alternatives available. We have found several pairs of comfortable soft clothing that he can wear.

Another change will be the socks. We have struggled for months to find socks that he can wear with seams that don’t bother him but have failed. I am keeping my fingers crossed that these seamless socks will be the answer. (I’ll let you know how it goes.)

The biggest thing I learned from all of this is that I need to do a better job of listening to my son. Life moves so quickly and we are always so busy it is easy to overlook the signals and ignore the chatter. I’ve learned that I need to slow down. Forgive myself if I don’t get the laundry done when I should or the dishes done every night. Instead, take that extra time and talk to my boy. Our relationship is already better because of it and I know it will mean a world of difference in the future.

A New Year, A New You…or something like that

I am not the type of person who makes New Year’s resolutions. I find it incredibly annoying that I can never get the machine I want at the gym in the month of January because half the city has made “go to the gym” a goal for the year. That being said, I am going to start 2012 with a newly reinvigorated blog and make a commitment to post regularly. I am already active on social media…this just seems like the next natural step.

What I will write about: libraries (because that’s the industry in which I work and because there is so much you should know about them), books, music, my family, health, politics, and anything else that I think is worth sharing. My goal is not to educate you on anything specific but instead to share my thoughts and maybe chronicle some of what does on in my little mind.

I look forward to sharing with you in 2012. I hope you will share your comments and thoughts with me as well. Happy New Year!

My 30th Year

My Parents

I turned 30 last July. It wasn’t a birthday I was particularly worried about or had much concern over. To be honest, a lot had changed in my life the year prior to that, and I was just anxious to focus on my future. But in the months since I have begun to look at so much in life differently.

Some serious things happened in the past year that have made me realize how important my relationships are with the people in my life. First of all, my dad got sick last November. He has Acute Myelogenius Leukemia (AML), a quick moving form of blood cancer.  He went to the doctor with a sore knee, walked out a cancer patient. None of us were ready for that diagnosis, and we are still adjusting to life in this new arena. Discovering he was sick made me realize how incredibly close my family is, and how much I rely on my parents even now, as a grown woman with her own child. I think about my parents in a new way now. I think about how to find time with them, despite busy schedules. I worry about their financial situation now that my dad can no longer work. I wonder how my mom is holding up under the stress she’s facing. I realize how incredibly important it is to be present, every day, with the ones we love.

I’ve watched other relationships in my life change over the past year. I’ve learned that much in life is about who you know, connections. I’ve learned how valuable it can be to be active in the community and to get involed. It’s amazing to me  how connected things are, especially with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. I’m meeting people online and making connections and developing relationships in ways that would otherwise be impossible.  It’s been amazing to discover, and I’m grateful I have the opportunity to explore.

My point is simply this: relationships are incredibly important. This is true in business, as it is in your private life. Life is so incredibly fragile and fleeting. Our connections with others define our lives, impact us emotionally and intellectually. Be grateful, everyday, for the moments you have. And remember to share them.

Blogs I Enjoy

I have wanted to start blogging for months but it has been harder to do than I originally expected. I kept searching for the right first blog idea, a way to get started that would seem natural and organic. Yeah, that’s not possible. I tell people all the time that the only way to really know and understand something is to try it for yourself. Get your feet wet, so to speak. A girl can only tell people those things for so long without actually doing it herself.

 

I am excited to start talking about all the new stuff I’m learning in the world of Social Media. I am a huge fan of Twitter (@amussman), despite the sighs and eye rolls of my family and friends. I am lucky enough to be in a business where knowledge of Social Media is an asset, and the willingness to explore and learn considered attributes. I’m grateful for that.

 

Some of the blogs I find myself constantly drawn to are:

 

Chris Brogan’s Blog

PR Squared

PR 2.0

The Buzz Bin

Web Strategy by Jeremiah

Justin R. Levy

Engage in PR

Communication Overtones 

 

Hopefully this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. I look forward to your comments!