My baby brother turns 57 today. He is my parents' third child. Mom was shocked, rather than thrilled, to hear she was pregnant in the fall of 1958. And for several good reasons. Her husband had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis only a few months earlier. The progress of the disease meant he would soon give up his job. She had just signed a teaching contract to support her family. Then … [Read more...]
You Really Like Me?
Do you remember the old Sally Field Oscar acceptance speech when she says, "You like me! You really like me!"? (Maybe I'm showing my age. Google it.) One day I said this to my son, Evan. He was being sweet to me and I said, "Evan, you like me! You really like me!" Aaand the rest is history. He now says this ten times a day to us. And he asks every single person he meets if they 'really like' him. … [Read more...]
Why My Child Lord?
Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 Sometimes we say, "Why me Lord?" When we struggle we may question many things. With our children with various challenges coming at them daily you may have asked yourself, "Why my child Lord?" I am going to let out a little secret here ... I am nearing 50 in the next several … [Read more...]
The Googolplex of Disability, or, How Many Times I Have to Repeat Myself
I’m going to be honest. I took high school calculus because my best friend was taking it, and I needed to prove I was as smart as she was. I was very insecure, and what’s worse, I hated math. But I did get something good from all those numbers: a B- and a neat little tidbit: A “googol” is 10 to the power of 100. The “googolplex” is significantly larger: 10 to the power of a googol - 10googol, or … [Read more...]
Searching for an Oasis of Peace
A few nights ago, my father came over for dinner. Even though we have far too much on plate on any given day, we’re the only family who lives close-by so we try to spend time with him at least once a week, which just seems like the right thing to do since he is 99. As I sat down to a slice of Costco pizza (not a gourmet feast by any stretch), I yawned quite forcefully. My father innocently asked … [Read more...]
My Thanks to the Stranger
Years ago the grocery store was the last place I wanted to go with my son with autism. Now, it's the place I don't want to leave. I followed my son into the tiny grocery, his steps bouncing so high that I thought he might lift right off the ground. He dashed behind the counter and slipped off his coat so that everyone could see the store logo on his shirt. Max is so proud to put on that shirt … [Read more...]