Alex’s story 2023 #helpforAlex part 7 “today’s been a good day.”

It’s 7:43pm and we pull into Rosa’s which is Alex’s favorite taco place. He orders his usual dinner, I pay the $6.40 and we pull out to go across the street. Alex is in a great mood and he says to me: “Todays been a good day!” So I asked him why?

Alex responds “I have Rosa’s, Riley got me a pink drink, and I’m 22 days clean today.” This makes my 💜 both happy and 😞.

Everyday is a milestone for someone his age. Alex has been self harming for quite sometime. It’s easy to hide because he wears baggy oversized clothes and pajama pants almost everyday. For anyone who doesn’t know what self harm is (*WARNING* this will be graphic) it’s when someone intentionally causes bodily harm like cutting themselves with razors or digging deep holes into their skin.

Below is the full article from SAMHSA.

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/self-harm

If you have never had anyone in your family that does this, I pray you never do. It’s scary and dangerous and most times they hide it very well. Unfortunately, most times they are left with permanent scars. Once you start it’s very difficult to stop. So, Alex being clean for 22 days is a good day! I love my kids more than I love life. It’s not even something I can express in words. The road we have travelled together has created a bond that is different from your normal Father/child relationship.

As I’ve shared before, Alex is not the first of my children to experience this. I’ve been through this before and to watch a child hurt themselves because they are in so much pain that only more pain can make it better is not something anyone child should ever have to endure. I’ve noticed that when my kids are in pain I am in pain and when they are happy then I am happy. So, hearing Alex say that today is a good day gave me hope that we are headed in the right direction. I look forward to more good days!