Sorry, it's a long one!
Ok, so IABU to post this here, but I really do need to get a hold of myself.
I've been in tears and have maybe had a glass of wine more than I ought to have.
Many years back, plus a couple of weeks and two days, I finally found the courage to say that I thought my youngest dc was totally blind.
After a horrific time, it turns out they are not, but do actually have a genetic condition that causes severe visual impairment amongst other things.
The last two and a half years have been awful - dc dropped out of sixth form due to struggling massively with anxiety and depression.
I honestly thought that they would never be employed.... (I should say here that they are very bright, not just my opinion, but that of people in the educational field also.)
Incredibly, they decided to self study an A level in an out of field area that I never dreamed that they would be interested in.
And they found a new love, and competed for, and got, an apprenticeship in that area. (Sorry, that's probably terrible grammar, but hey-ho. 
)
Today was their first day at work.
I was dreading the potential struggles with anxiety or getting up to go on time - but they did.
The tears were ones of relief, and gratitude that they have found something to give them a real purpose in life, after feeling so low.
I'm really only posting because I can't let out how I feel to them, or to family members who try to understand, but never will because whilst they've been supportive, they've no idea of how it's been for dc and for me.
I'll stop waffling on now, but just wanted to share in the lovely safe place that Mumsnet is most of the time.