Middle school. A place where girls and boys shoot into young adulthood, catapulted by hormones and peer pressure to just fit in. Be able to spin through the locker combination with ease and swag, flinging wide the banging metal door that says, "I have arrived." I'm here. Maybe they gained a few inches in height, with arms and legs a bit more rounder and stronger to match their stature, confidently … [Read more...]
Using Grief for Good
Do you ever get tired of the persistent emotions of parenting a child with special needs? There are many times I am so tired of all the emotions that inevitably come along with caring for Calvin who is often sick and deals with severe disabilities. I want to pack my bags and move from on out from Sadness to Joy, permanently. Don't get me wrong, there is lots of love, shenanigans, … [Read more...]
Lost in Translation
A little more than a year ago, a friend took a few of my books to a special-needs family camp in Pelchi, Latvia. Partway through the week, she sent a text. "They love what you write about. Can you come next year to work with the moms?" "YES!" I immediately texted back. "Count me in." From that moment on, my resolve to attend remained firm. It was bolstered when the fundraiser organized by dear … [Read more...]
A Day in the Life of an Ordinary Family
I don’t know about your family but in ours, having a young adult with complex disabilities never affords me any time to do the simple things in life, like finding time to read. The tired cliché of “there are never enough hours in the day” is the story of my life. Every day the list of things I need to do, want to do, would really like to do, outstrips even the most energetic and efficient person’s … [Read more...]
Washing Windows
I’ve had conversations with three separate people this week regarding the way our perception of events either clouds our Kingdom vision, or clarifies it. I can’t think of a better word picture for this than washing windows. My husband and I live in the country, where farmers plow and plant and harvest. We also live on the highest point of the county, where the wind blows—a lot! Windows get … [Read more...]
I Feel Like Quitting Motherhood!
Sad but true; some days I just feel like quitting. For nearly 35 years I’ve been caring for our son who has special needs (cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delays, mental handicaps, and lots of allergies (some severe and possibly fatal, namely peanuts). Both my husband and I are on watch all the time. Where is he? What is he eating? What can he eat from what is being … [Read more...]