I was just kinda wondering about a few things. Like, why do we get burned out? Why on some days do I love my son’s stuttering. It’s really not even stuttering, it’s halting, starting a word, bringing it back in and reforming it. Then it all tumbles out until the next words get backed up … Continue reading Creating Space & Saving Spoons
What Silly Socks Don’t Tell You
At school yesterday, we wore our silly socks for World Down Syndrome Day. Today is actually WDSD, but since there isn’t school on Saturday, we celebrated on Friday. As the other teacher assistants and I walked down the hall to pick up our students from the bus, we talked about our socks. I said that, … Continue reading What Silly Socks Don’t Tell You
Down Right Perfect
I remember one day wearing a “Down Right Perfect” t-shirt as I marched up to the high school doors to collect Wil after school hours because he had run from getting on the bus. He booked it up the steps to the second floor and hid. Once he was found, Mr. Walsh walked him down … Continue reading Down Right Perfect
Paradoxical Path
A singular new word Wil calmly adds to his vocabulary, in a such a way that only I — or his closest educators — would hear stands out like a stacatto flashing me back in time to a movie reel loop when he was 5 or 7 or 10, working a skill on a repeat … Continue reading Paradoxical Path
Wil is graduating; this is a hard one. Raising Wil I’ve gone through what I think of as “3 acceptances” so far: Acceptance of Ds Acceptance of new behaviors of puberty. (That was a tough one!! That truly took a village!) Acceptance of transitioning out of high school. Wil is ready to graduate, though; he’s … Continue reading
Wepa!
Wil has a very set — and happy — routine in the morning. His alarm goes off, I go to his room, sing him a song and give him a hug (definitely a daily stop and smell the roses moment for me — making time for songs and hugs are Wil’s priorities and remind me … Continue reading Wepa!
Light 💡 Ranch
Not so long ago, if anyone gave Wil choices he’d pick the last choice offered. This morning I asked him, “What dipping sauce do you want? Ranch, mustard, ketchup or honey mustard?” “H — Ranch.” Wil corrected his auto-response for what he wanted. Life is full of tiny miracles embedded within everyday occurrences. Our kids … Continue reading Light 💡 Ranch
Age is Just All Numbers
Wil and I decorated the Christmas tree. It’s the first time we’ve done it just the two of us. Usually the twins are here so he’ll hang a few ornaments, but then move on to singing or other activities around us. As Wil was home sick, and we needed low-key activities to stave off boredom, … Continue reading Age is Just All Numbers
The Bright Side
Elizabeth sent me this picture of her and her sorority sister, Isabelle. They were visiting a cider mill and enjoying the day with their sisters. I love to see her big heart and smile, and loving life on her own. She has more than earned this time. She and her twin sister, Katherine, are great … Continue reading The Bright Side
Staying Open
It happened after an event in the high school gymnasium. I don’t remember the event, but the after-scene is a moving photograph vivid in my mind. Wil approached a group of male high school peers on the gymnasium floor. At his approach, the circle broke with fist bumps, hellos, and high-fives with Wil. Two boys … Continue reading Staying Open