The Kid Who Saved Me
Rhydian turned four a couple months ago, and it’s hard to believe she hasn’t always been part of my life. In just a few short years, she’s changed me in ways I never could have imagined.
Even from a very young age, there have been moments where she’s shown a kind of awareness and gentleness that felt far beyond her years. Not in a way that should have been her responsibility—but in a way that reminded me just how deeply connected we are.
When Rhydian was around seven months old, I went through a very difficult period with my mental health. What started as postpartum depression and anxiety gradually became more intense. My thoughts became overwhelming, and at times, didn’t feel like my own. It was confusing and, honestly, frightening. But somewhere in all of that, I was still able to recognize that something wasn’t right. That awareness is what pushed me to reach out for help.
I was incredibly fortunate to be met with care and urgency. I was able to start therapy quickly and find the right support, including medication that helped stabilize things. Through that process, I also began working through deeper experiences from my past that I hadn’t fully faced before.
Looking back, I know how differently that time could have gone. And that’s something I don’t take lightly. What stands out to me the most, though, is a moment I’ll never forget. I was sitting on the floor, overwhelmed and crying, when Rhydian came over to me quietly. She placed her hands under my chin, lifted my face, and said, “It’s okay, Mommy. Everything will be okay.”
And somehow, I believed her.
She didn’t save me in the way people sometimes say that—she didn’t carry something that was never hers to carry. But she was a light for me during a time when I needed one. She gave me a reason to keep going, to get help, and to heal.
And because of that, I’ll spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to be the steady, safe place for her.
