“Slippery rocks ahead!” It was a dark, pre-dawn August morning in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Headlamp lights bounced off the rocky trail. It had rained the night before, so the trail was slick. The jutting rocks and roots mixed with the elevation proved challenging without throwing in the darkness and slickness. Even though I had read … Continue reading Slippery Rocks Ahead!
The Morning Wash
This morning was a full-on 30 minute morning to get Wil out of bed and into the kitchen for breakfast. This is how it went: "Wil, time to get up." "Hi Mom." "Good morning, Wil." "Good night, Mom." He giggled and pulled the covers over his head. "No, it's good morning Wil." I said as … Continue reading The Morning Wash
Time
I sat at the kitchen table, my chair turned slightly outward, toward the kitchen sink, where Matt stood, washing dishes. Miraculously, Katherine, Elizabeth and Wil were all in one of the bedrooms playing together. This is the time, I thought. “Matt, what is it that you need?” I asked him. He stopped, holding a plate, … Continue reading Time
Exhale
I emerged from the ladies’ locker room into the pool area, and as always, held my breath. I made a quick scan of the pool. I exhaled in relief to see an open lane. I wouldn’t have to share. Over 2 yards of width and 25 yards of length lined off to my very own … Continue reading Exhale
Step One is One Step
After coaching an early morning class, I was talking to one of the members and asked her what her occupation was. She told me she was a social worker. I never knew much about social workers until Wil was born. “You do good work,” I said, “but my guess is a lot of people don’t … Continue reading Step One is One Step
When She Watches Him Play
When she watches him play, she sees not only him, but the distance they have covered together. The places they have been, the people they have met--and those yet to come. Willing the first forward steps--halting, unfamiliar. Then, with time, more fluid. Momentum building. Lessons learned. Villages created. Paths made, step-by-step-by-step. When she watches him … Continue reading When She Watches Him Play
Happy is as Happy Does
I wasn’t feeling very well yesterday. Wil had just gotten over the flu, and I believe a lesser degree of his illness hit my system yesterday. Other than going to work in the morning, and taking Katherine and Elizabeth on a few errands, I laid low and got as much sleep as I could. I … Continue reading Happy is as Happy Does
A Question of When
When. That was my favorite question in the beginning. Even if it is not always specifically answerable, the question of when held a note of hope. When promises it will happen, it is only the timeline that is unclear. On one occasion I asked the question, Will he? I was met with a long pause. … Continue reading A Question of When
Overwhelmed: Discovering a New Landscape with Down Syndrome
We walked down the hallway of the church, where the meeting was being held. Matt held the baby carrier, swaying slightly with the gait of his walk. It was somewhat dim in the hallway, Matt and my footfalls echoing off the walls. It was evening and the congregation had long returned home from the morning’s service. Though … Continue reading Overwhelmed: Discovering a New Landscape with Down Syndrome
You Don’t Need to be Special to Raise a Child with Special Needs
“To raise someone with special needs—it really takes someone special to do that.” What does that mean exactly? Did I need a certain number of qualifications to be certified as special? Or was there some checklist I filled out? Who does the interviews anyway? I’m really confused as to how I qualified. I mean, I … Continue reading You Don’t Need to be Special to Raise a Child with Special Needs