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
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!
Leaders in Life
Our Human Services leader is telling us to be weak. To be devasted by a diagnosis. To feel damaged because our children are neurodiverse and may not pay taxes. I was devastated but I CHOSE to RISE! I CHOSE to love my child for who they were and to find others that gave me strength … Continue reading Leaders in Life
Random Moments
https://videopress.com/v/nPdv2ipU?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true When Wil was diagnosed with Down syndrome, the nurse could have not explained through my tears, “Your norm will be a compilation of random events like your son interrupting you doing homework saying, “Mom look at this!” About some Blues Clues song he randomly discovered and got super excited about. Just as how I, … Continue reading Random Moments
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
Steps in Time
Just 2 years ago during graduation party time I needed an eagle eye on Wil. At one party he fled the party and would not leave the front porch. At another he ran to a side street and sat in the middle of it. Yesterday, at each grad party he hung with his buddies. And … Continue reading Steps in Time
Patience v Desire to Understand
I’m not a patient person. But I’ve been called patient a lot since raising Wil. And I started to believe I grew in my patience. It’s possible I did. Last weekend Wil got stuck, and we had a very important wedding to get to. As the clock ticked I grew very frustrated. I wasn’t feeling … Continue reading Patience v Desire to Understand
Got Curiosity?
My Grandma used to wrap presents in newspaper. In the opening, my fingers would be covered in smeary black smudge, but as a kid who cared? My Grandma didn’t much care either, which is why she didn’t spend time buying pretty wrapping. What was important to her was the giving. Now I look back and … Continue reading Got Curiosity?
I Wonder, Wonder, Wonder
Wil talks all the time. He talks to me, he talks to friends, he talks to himself. I wonder at the time, listening to him today, how one hesitant word was cause to drop everything and celebrate. His verbalization today was once a distant, fuzzy dream. Like reaching for a cloud that my hands couldn't … Continue reading I Wonder, Wonder, Wonder