It’s three days before Christmas and I am at peace. There is no tree decorated in my living room. Gifts will be few and simple as a result of a tough financial year. There are no stockings hung by the chimney with care (an annual safety hazard I somehow justify year after year). And I haven’t even begun to think about what to fix for our Christmas dinner. I’m thinking “meat” might be one item on … [Read more...]
Wait for it….wait for it…
“Have you heard of ‘reservation time’?” our counselor asked. I shot my husband a blank look. I had no idea what he was talking about. “The Navejo have a custom,” he explained, leaning forward in his chair. “Families often live far apart without telephones, so rather than show up unannounced on a neighbor’s doorstep, they drive their cars within hearing distance of their neighbor‘s property. They … [Read more...]
For Richer or for Poorer
My husband and I often joke about robbing a bank. Or winning the lottery. Or coming into an inheritance. We’ve been joking for years because almost from the day our children were born, we have been in debt, despite many, many plans and schemes and dreams to bob our financial heads above water. You name it, we’ve been billed for it: therapies tried and true and sometimes new, doctor’s bills, … [Read more...]
Psalm 23 For The Special Needs Journey
The book of Psalms contains some of the most beautiful promises ever written. As a father, I have discovered that the psalms capture the love, heartache, joy, and weariness of parenting children with special needs. The book of Psalms is the place you can go when you're hurting and needing a reminder of God’s faithful promises. Mom…dad…I encourage you to find a psalm that speaks to where … [Read more...]
The Power in Your Story
I remember the feeling of awe I had when I first connected to the Internet in the mid 1990's. I was amazed that suddenly I could connect with people from all over the world. I began blogging about my families' journey with autism in 2004, and I did it simply to record our story. I wanted to have a way to look back and be encouraged by Alec's progress whenever I was having a hard day. I never … [Read more...]
Dealing with Bullying
My son has hidden disabilities. Since he was an early elementary child he has struggled with social interactions. He is an empathetic kid but can be awkward in his interactions. Unfortunately this has often made him the brunt of bullying. I have never been able to find words to wrap around the pain of bullying and the injury it causes. It has sadly been visited more often than I like to … [Read more...]