Maybe those words have never fallen out of your mouth, but they have mine! I hate to admit it, but there are days when I’ve just had enough. A friend whose life is similar to mine has confessed to me (as I have to her) that we have said these words not only in our heads but they’ve come out of our mouths. And sometimes they have been with anger, exhaust, and a few other emotions! A … [Read more...]
The Bumpy and Unexpected Journey with Special Needs
Most of us clasp our hands around our airplane seat divider exposing our white knuckles trying to act like we’re really reading that book in our other hand and really comprehending it when the ride starts to get bumpy. But not for Joey. He loves the bumps! Sure, we’re doing just fine! But for Joey, it really is fine. Bumpy is life with a child with special needs. They have many needs, … [Read more...]
Oh, to Be THIS Thankful!
We’ve just moved. We planned it such, that my sister Sue would care for our Joey (special needs age 35) for a long weekend so we could get his room set up. This would allow us to prepare ahead of time for those bumps in the road that happen when BIG CHANGE happens. And when we say CHANGE we often mean CHALLENGE! Joey likes his things just the way he arranges them….like those of us who like our … [Read more...]
FILTERED Thoughts and Words Are a Little Slice of Heaven
Filtering my thoughts and words isn’t easy and it doesn’t always turn out pretty. They often come pouring from my mind through my mouth like a coffee maker without a filter. (Sipping on coffee grounds is simply unpleasant!) I’ve improved over time and I always work to reflect the Lord, but I have certainly not arrived. I can act refined with proper statements and politeness, but underlying what … [Read more...]
Our Social Life is a “Package Deal”
Sometimes I ask myself “What social life!??!” and I’m guessing if you’re a caregiver for someone, you’ve asked yourself that same question. The truth is…a social life is really difficult—for us and for our loved one. We haven’t done research, but in our own life there have been few people to include us as a couple with our son. Besides family, I can probably think of 5 families/situations … [Read more...]
I’m Leaving My Child Behind!
Be honest. Even if you didn’t say that out loud, you’ve thought it at least once! Yet, the primary “care-giver” really does have the need to leave home, leave town, and leave their child behind from time to time. Perhaps we need to leave our child behind (not in the sense that they’re taking off for good), but in the sense that something else besides our child is calling for our attention. Maybe … [Read more...]