This week is full of fall festivals, and we're scheduled to attend a few. While this usually doesn't bother me, I have some reservations this year. We've had a rough month with a major plumbing project, both vehicles in the shop for repairs, illness, and the accompanying financial stress. As a result of the drama, my daughter has experienced some regression, especially in her sensory processing … [Read more...]
Joy Burst
“My son has a job here,” I said in a much too loud voice, loving the sound of it. “So we have a family membership.” The girl behind the counter scanned my YMCA card. “My son got this for me, because he works here.” I almost couldn’t help repeating myself. I knew I sounded like one of those older women…the ones with the multi-colored tracksuits and cloth visors who constantly refer to their … [Read more...]
Face to Face
The first two Halloweens of our son's life were complete busts. The first one because he was hospitalized because of feeding tube complications. The second because he freaked out whenever he saw a kid wearing a mask. And he saw lots of them. Because I was an elementary teacher in a very small town. Where all my students rang our doorbell and said, "Trick or treat!" Right after I invited them … [Read more...]
God Bless the “Good-Finders”!
It began for me very early in my special needs journey. Accusations flowed freely from the mouth of someone close to me, scolding that I was over-treating my baby's severe bleeding disorder. Still new at being a "warrior mom", I felt small, ashamed, foolish, doubting myself. The degrading embarrassment didn't end with just one child. I can remember so many years where neighbors made snide … [Read more...]
We Had Nothing to Do With It
…We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the … [Read more...]
Twilight Zone Prayers and Hidden Disabilities
Of all the prayers in the Bible, I don't recall anyone praying that their child would have a seizure. Or that they'd spike a fever. Or that they'd have a meltdown in class. But I have. These are some of the alter-universe prayers I find myself praying for one of our daughters who has developmental delays, GAD, RAD and ODD---a.k.a. hidden disabilities. Here's my girl. See if you can discover why … [Read more...]