Rosie's blog: Back to normailty

Its scarcely seems like almost three months since my youngest son was discharged from hospital. I felt at the time as if my world had been turned upside down; indeed, all of our worlds had been turned upside down. It has been such a long road to recovery and although still not quite back to his normal self, he seems fitter and healthier than he did three months ago. His objective is to be completely well by the start of the school year and this looks likely: he has taken the lead in his school play and is looking forward to Sports Day. What a relief! However, this has been a learning experience for all of us. Of course, one can take nothing for granted, least of all health and stability. What happened to my little boy took us all by surprise. Interestingly, the upset that it caused had the effect of making relations with my ex-husband less frosty than they have been for years. This unintended benefit has been good for the whole family.

Resilience is one of the attributes that we look for in others and hope that we demonstrate ourselves. We can see examples of it in all areas of life (and football!). The family can teach us this and the skills learned can be adapted to the work environment. Whether as one’s parents’ child or a parent oneself, or a carer, aunt, uncle or godparent; all these roles require emotional commitment and seem easier with a positive approach to the events that affect those closest to us.

I think that at my age, I had not expected to be so completely levelled by an event. My son’s illness was so severe and so frightening that it reduced me. I am pleased to say that I feel that normality has resumed. This enormous and encouraging leap into our usual existence has been like a ray of sunshine, timely for this lovely summer season that we are enjoying. Long may it continue.

Rosie is a partner in a City law firm with two sons aged 13 and 11. She is a single parent and works at her office in the City and at home.

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• Families