Summer Sunshine and Healing Skin

It's early June, and for the first time in months, I find myself breathing a little easier.

Lucas's skin is healing again.

The dry, patchy areas that covered so much of his body throughout the colder months are finally beginning to smooth out. The redness is fading, the scales are less noticeable, and his skin simply looks healthier. Every day, I notice another small improvement. As a mother, those little changes feel enormous.

But it's not just his skin.

He's moving differently, too.

For months, I watched him wake up stiff and uncomfortable. There were days when he complained about aches and pains, when a simple hug would make him wince and say, "Ouch." It broke my heart because there was nothing I wanted more than to take that discomfort away from him.

Now, he's running, playing, and moving with an energy that reminds me of the little boy beneath the psoriasis. He's laughing more. He's more active. He's brighter. And perhaps the greatest gift of all is that when I wrap my arms around him, he doesn't pull away or tell me it hurts.

The sunshine seems to be working its magic.

I can't believe how much of a difference just a few days have made. A weekend at the beach, some afternoons at the pool, and time spent outside soaking up the warmth of the sun have already brought visible improvements. It's remarkable to watch. Every year I see it happen, yet it still amazes me.

As the weather warms, Lucas seems to come alive.

Watching him thrive during the summer always fills me with mixed emotions. On one hand, I'm incredibly grateful. I love seeing him comfortable in his own skin. I love watching him run through sprinklers, dive into pools, and spend hours outdoors without constantly scratching or feeling self-conscious.

On the other hand, I sometimes wonder if I should move somewhere warmer.

The thought crosses my mind more often than I'd like to admit.

I feel a little guilty sometimes for keeping him in New York, where long winters, cold air, and dry heat can be so hard on his skin. When I see how quickly the sun helps him heal, it's impossible not to imagine what life might be like if we lived somewhere with sunshine year-round.

Would he hurt less?

Would his flare-ups be milder?

Would he spend more days feeling as good as he does right now?

Those are questions I don't have answers to.

The reality is that our lives are here. I'm in school. I have work. We have family, friends, and a community that supports us. Raising a child with a chronic condition takes a village, and I am fortunate to have people around us who care about Lucas and cheer him on.

So for now, I choose gratitude.

I'm grateful for the sunshine.

I'm grateful for the beach days and pool days.

I'm grateful for every hug that doesn't hurt.

I'm grateful for every moment I get to see my son feeling strong, comfortable, and confident.

Most of all, I'm grateful for the reminder that healing doesn't always happen overnight. Sometimes it comes in small moments—in a sunny afternoon, a splash in the pool, a walk on the beach, or a child laughing freely without pain.

Summer won't last forever, but right now I'm choosing to enjoy every minute of it.

And as I watch Lucas run toward the sunshine, I'm reminded that brighter days always come eventually.

Photo Credit: Joshua Dorras