As the day unfolded it was marked at the beginning and end with my eyes welling up with tears.

It was a day marked with the closing of a chapter in Maxs story. It was a goodbye to a pair of individuals that have walked with us over the last 3 1/2 years through all the highs and lows. They may never realize the impact they had on our family. A pair of women that I’m sure rise everyday conflicted with hope of the day to come and a level of hurt that awaits. I know that to commit your life to helping children that have been betrayed by their own bodies and minds is a path few are made to walk down. I have watched how they have poured their hearts into my son, its never seemed manufactured or trite. I can only imagine the struggle to be connected and yet distant. To pour into each child with all that they have to offer, but keeping a necessary separation because failure to do so would certainly lead to emotional turmoil. For over three years they were far more then Maxs therapists, they were a shoulder to cry on during the darkest moments and seemed to generate the loudest cheers during those moments when Max was achieving what we were told was not possible.

It was in what was Maxs final visit that the reflection on their time intertwined with my family. Celebrating his graduation, I felt in some ways like we were losing pieces of the team. Members of the core of Team Max, I suppose I was naive to think that it wouldn’t happen but the reality was no less hard to accept. I know of few ways a person can truly show appreciation for what these two women have done, and yet it’s simply what they do and for that my family will be forever thankful.

SB