Pumpkins, Sunshine, and Recovery

Last Year, I begged my dad to grow pumpkins in our vegetable garden, and he said yes. He designated a portion of earth for me to plant some. So I excitedly sowed some seeds, watered them, and waited. Sure enough, little sprouts began to shoot up. Over the course of the summer, my dad and I watched the plants grow, produce leaves and a couple of blossoms, but no pumpkins. It didn't matter how much we watered it; no pumpkins ever came.
This year, I was still determined to grow my own pumpkins. So I purchased some organic mini pumpkin seeds. This time, however, I let the seeds soak overnight, then planted them in mini yogurt containers, covered them in plastic baggies, put them near a window indoors where they were sure to get plenty of sunshine, and made sure to keep the soil nice and moist by gently misting them with water when needed. It wasn't long before little sprouts emerged, and soon grew big enough for me to transplant them into larger pots. I have continued to water and take care of them, and they are growing tall and strong. Of course, I've had to rely on my parents since I entered hospital, and they have been kind enough to take care of my precious pumpkins. My mum has also been sweet in sharing photos she's taken of them. Last week, my dad informed me that they are ready for the garden. While I so wish that I could be there to take part in such a momentous event, I trust my dad's green thumb and know he'll do a good job.
Why is she going on about pumpkins? you might be wondering to yourself. Not to worry, I do have a point. I think that I am a little bit like my precious pumpkins, or any young plant for that matter. Hear me out, okay? Some people will argue against the idea of being overly protective and sheltering children or, more so, people suffering from a mental illness. They argue that getting "special" treatment (ie. avoiding certain topics of conversation, or, in the case of a recovering alcoholic, not having alcohol in the house, etc.) is stupid since "that's not the way the real world is". Here's what I have to say to such arguments: Just like my pumpkins, in order to really thrive outside in the garden (the "real world", if you will), they first needed careful careful attention and gentle care inside, where things were less severe. Little by little, they were exposed to more and more, until they were finally ready. If I had planted them outside right from the get-go and didn't treat them as tenderly, I think they might have just ended up like last year's pumpkins. Sure, they might have thrived, but I have a feeling that my steady, gentle care indoors first has given them a much more fighting chance.
So bear with me, or any loved one in recovery from whatever demons they're battling, be it physical, mental, or spiritual. Treat us seedlings with care, please. We'll get to the garden as soon as we're ready.