Wil and I went to see Luke Bryan on his Farm Tour at the Kubiak Family Farm in Fowlerville, MI. We parked in a field, with 20,000 other fans, just over a mile from the stage. I grabbed our bag that Wil stuffed with 2 Luke Bryan pillows, 4 Luke Bryan hats and 4 Luke … Continue reading Waves
From Monday to Friday in 60 Minutes
This week's story is an excerpt from "Stories of Wil: Puberty Part 1" (publ. July 2020)... When I woke Wil up, he was very sluggish. “Hey, buddy, time to wake up,” I said. I sat on the edge of his bed and tickled him lightly under his chin. “Hmmph!” Wil turned his face into his … Continue reading From Monday to Friday in 60 Minutes
Who’s Counting?
7th grade was one of Wil’s most challenging years. He entered a new school — the Jr./Sr. High School — with new teachers, new schedules, all while going through puberty. Mix that together with delayed communication skills and it was one heck of a ride! The only constant were his friends he’s had since elementary school; … Continue reading Who’s Counting?
Simpler Times
Wil has a karaoke machine in the basement. He flips the “on” switch, dials up the flashing lights, but the microphone remains in its clip. He cannot be tethered by such things. Every single day, be it a weekend morning or a weekday after school, Wil inserts a Luke Bryan CD in the karaoke machine … Continue reading Simpler Times
Complex Simplicities
She usually wears shoes to golf but in this heat, my guess is she wouldn’t leave the house without her flip-flops. She slipped off her flip-flops at the driving range and sliced the golf ball just as expertly as she did with shoes on. She sat down to brush the dirt off her feet. Her … Continue reading Complex Simplicities
True-Blue Happiness
As I waited in line at the pharmacy for Wil’s thyroid meds, I glanced at the magazine covers displayed below the check-out counter. A woman on one shiny cover sat cross-legged in a peaceful, meditative pose; mindfulness is the way to happiness. Another shiny cover had a full-page close up of a spotless country kitchen; … Continue reading True-Blue Happiness
Behind the Magic
Wil jumped onto the tube without hesitation. Wil’s friend CJ, who we were visiting, propped himself on the tube next to Wil. Elizabeth laid down on the opposite side. CJ’s dad, Randy, asked if they were ready. All three gave a unanimous thumbs up. Randy fired up the boat and CJ’s mom, Cheri, was already expertly snapping pictures. Heavy clouds loomed; we wanted to tube as much as possible before the storm … Continue reading Behind the Magic
Tunes of the Territory
Wil had become overwhelmed and fled the situation with little warning. I chased after him and tried to get him to open up. He never did. Wil has grown greatly in his communication skills, and each time we go somewhere he grows in independence too. However there are multiple stops that must break way to … Continue reading Tunes of the Territory
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Wil recently lugged the karaoke machine from our basement, plugged it in his room, and blasted his “Music Together” CD. Wil also navigates YouTube like a pro and blasts his favorite country music videos. Though I need to keep an eye on his searches for “kissing.” Wil demands hugs every morning, watches PBS Kids, is … Continue reading I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Brace Yourself
“Look, Mom!” Wil widened his smile. A thick cord of wire ran through every braces bracket attached to the top row of Wil’s teeth. Then I noticed one of the brackets hung suspended over the jagged edges of an emerging adult tooth. Wil had just lost the baby tooth that previously held the bracket in place. … Continue reading Brace Yourself