I walked into the parking lot area where Wil was to take his PEAC bike camp. I was overcome with a positive, uplifting feeling — thankfully this type of feeling is not unfamiliar. I’ve grown accustomed to this shift from breathing dense air into a higher atmosphere in only one step. This atmosphere is one … Continue reading High Rider
Tree Wil and Glitter Christie
The past fall, I struggled with the thought of never truly being an empty nester. My thoughts were a twisted, tangled jumble of yarn – strands of prickly burlap wound tight around strands of brilliant, transparent glitter. The brilliant strands of glitter represent Wil’s near constant song. Nearly every event calls for a song -- … Continue reading Tree Wil and Glitter Christie
Discarding “Popular” Wisdom
"The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. We are filled with popular wisdom of several centuries just past, and we are terrified to give it up." Gloria Steinem may have had women’s rights on her mind with this quote, but it rings very true for … Continue reading Discarding “Popular” Wisdom
Let Us Embrace Our Vulnerable Population
In embracing our vulnerable population we embrace our own vulnerabilities. We crave Love. Love is the base of all things. Love is survival. We crave, live and breathe for Love. In embracing individuals that we previously misconceived as having lesser value, we find in fact their value is greater than ours as theirs is the … Continue reading Let Us Embrace Our Vulnerable Population
Deeper Than a Good Deed
One of my favorite parts about Special Olympics events is when I thank the volunteers for their time, and they say, “No, thank YOU! We are so very thankful for this opportunity.” And in further discussion you find they volunteered once as a “good deed” and now it’s 20 years later and they wouldn’t miss … Continue reading Deeper Than a Good Deed
House of Cards
Most of us don’t choose to be caregivers. Then next thing you know, you find yourself standing on a house of cards. Last night a friend was at a neighboring table for dinner with her husband and another couple. After they had eaten dinner, the other couple left. As our friend tried to leave, her … Continue reading House of Cards
Out-Turn
Most mornings these days Wil wakes up happy and cooperative; he’s nearly sixteen years old now. We have a few morning struggles but nothing like his earlier years. He enjoys school, seeing his friends, and his independence. We talk about what day of the week it is, the month and the season. Wil keeps close … Continue reading Out-Turn
Unwrapped
Wil double-stepped down the broad concrete steps. He paused. Then he threw both arms back, hinged forward at the waist, and propelled himself over the last step. Mid-air he hollered, “Jump!” He landed flat-footed and straight-legged. Dang, when will he ever bend his knees? “Mom, jump!” He yelled. I exaggeratedly swung my left arm back, … Continue reading Unwrapped
A Dose of Happy
After coaching this AM, I pulled into our attached garage. Wil, hearing the garage door lift, opened the side door from our house into the garage. He stood there, with his short hair a fuzzy mess, navy blue donut pj bottoms, and one of his many Buddy Walk t-shirts. I responsively smiled at him through … Continue reading A Dose of Happy
The Dance
When Wil was born, I wondered on his differences. How would they separate him from making friends? How would his differences separate him from living a full life? What I didn’t know was Wil’s differences would become woven so deeply into our daily lives that they would be our norm. One example is Wil’s dancing. … Continue reading The Dance