Finding Calm in the Storm

This morning started off as one of those Sundays. The rain was hammering down, the wind howling outside, and inside, things weren’t much calmer. Dillon was struggling with listening, patience and regulating himself, it all seemed impossible for him. The screams and tears filled the house, and no matter what I tried, it felt like I was failing him. Nothing was working, and I was already exhausted.

Then it was time for his swimming lesson. We got into the car, the rain still pelting down, as we made our way to the pool, something shifted. The chaos of the morning slowly gave way to calm, and by the time we arrived, he was ready. It was such a small thing, but it felt like a huge achievement.

You see, back in September, Dillon started private 1:1 swimming lessons. At first, he was terrified—scared to even get in the water. Every single week, he’d ask me to speak to his instructor, Hakan, to explain how worried and scared he felt. I’d reassure him as best I could, but the nerves never seemed to go away. Those early lessons weren’t easy—for him or for me.

But week by week, something began to change. Slowly, his confidence grew. He started to trust Hakan, and more importantly, he started to trust himself. And then, this afternoon, as we drove to the lesson, Dillon said something that stopped me in my tracks: “I’m excited for swimming, I love it!”

Hearing those words felt incredible. To think, just ten weeks ago, this was the same boy who couldn’t even approach the water without fear. It’s not just about swimming anymore, it’s about what he’s achieved, the confidence he’s built, and the joy he’s found in something he used to dread.

This afternoon reminded me of how much children can achieve when they have the right support in place. With Hakan’s patience and those tailored lessons, Dillon has found his stride. He’s gone from being scared and apprehensive to excited and self-assured. It’s amazing to see, and it makes me so proud of him.

What started as a stormy, overwhelming morning ended on such a positive note. It’s a reminder that, no matter how tough things might seem, progress is always possible with patience, encouragement, and belief. For Dillon and for me, this is a win worth celebrating.