Wil set the alarm on his iPad last night for school (I showed him how after asking the twins if they had an old alarm clock Wil could use. Elizabeth said, “Mom, just use his iPad” 🙄). On mornings I work, Katherine or Elizabeth typically wake Wil. He is very independent now, and it’s getting … Continue reading A Good Morning!
I Believe Most People Are Good (Luke Bryan song)
I saw it in his eyes. He wanted to bolt. If he found a crack in the crowd, he’d force his way through like a flower through a concrete slab. At 5’5” and 155 pounds, clad with big blue noise-cancelling headphones, people would step back startled and stare, walk around and give him space, rather … Continue reading I Believe Most People Are Good (Luke Bryan song)
Blending Scenes
“The Buddy Walk is only one mile walk. I think you can handle it,” I joked. “And really, with so many people with Down syndrome, we don’t move fast!” When The Peanut Butter Falcon was available for streaming, I didn’t want to watch it on my own. The viewing experience would be fuller with friends … Continue reading Blending Scenes
Word Up!
When Wil tries to figure something out, he has a back-and-forth conversation with himself: "Wear the grey shirt? Yes, yes, the grey shirt." This will go on for his hat and shorts, too; and with most any task that requires decision-making. He's been having these conversations for about 5 years now. At first, I was … Continue reading Word Up!
Yesterday Was a When
Yesterday, Wil and I had lunch and a conversation on the back porch. One night, I sat on the edge of Wil’s bed. It was the school year of 2016. In the quiet before sleep, Wil was most apt to share his day. I always started with questions about his friends and lunch; they were … Continue reading Yesterday Was a When
CREATING SPACE
“Mom, I saw Ashley in gym today!” Wil did not share this fact after school. Nor at the dinner table. Wil was lying on the couch, shortly before bedtime, watching a Netflix show with Elizabeth and me. He popped up in the middle of a scene— that had nothing to do with gym class, or … Continue reading CREATING SPACE
A Moment in Time: Surprise gifts
Wil and I went to pick up pizza in town. As we exited the pizzeria, we saw Will D., Wil’s friend from school. We enjoyed a quick chat, then as Wil and I headed back to our car, Wil turned around and called out to Will D., “See you tomorrow!” I’ve never heard my Wil … Continue reading A Moment in Time: Surprise gifts
Lifting the Mask
“What do you want to be for Halloween, Wil?”“A meeeeaaaan pumpkin, grrrr!” Wil lifted his arms up and curled his hands into claws. Wil and I searched the Web for a “mean pumpkin” mask. We found the perfect fit! A jagged-toothed jack-o’- lantern mask that lit up. Next was the shirt. We found a black … Continue reading Lifting the Mask