"Want to go to Sonic, Mom?" Sounds like an innocuous enough question don't you think? But at our house, it has a deeper meaning. The question is usually asked as we're driving by the local Sonic on our way to some activity. And it's always asked by my younger son, Tim, with a wry smile and a glint in his eye. The Sonic Boom episode happened on one of our (many) trips back from Maine. Almost home … [Read more...]
The Gift Of Grace
No one expected him to succeed. He was made fun of in school because of a horrible stuttering problem. His older brother and sister were brilliant; most often he felt like a shadow child rather than a sibling. Though extremely talented, the young shadow boy struggled to speak even one sentence clearly, causing him to question the value or purpose of his life. Early into his freshman year of high … [Read more...]
Celebration!
Joel loves to dance. He’s a study in joy on the dance floor—arms flailing, feet shuffling, eyes shining. Joy bubbles up in my veins as I watch him, inviting me to get up and do my own celebratory dance. I was shocked when Joel was too agitated and anxious to enjoy the last monthly dance held at his home, Safe Haven Farms. He walked into the brightly decorated multi-purpose room where music was … [Read more...]
What You Do Today Matters
His voice was a whisper, “What’s up? ” “Not much dude, why are you whispering?” I whispered back. In a guilty voice, the 35-year old father explained to me that he was calling from a closet. He was hiding from his five-year-old son, who was hunting for his favorite Sesame Street DVD. His son, on the autism spectrum, had a tendency to play the same small video segment over…and over…and … [Read more...]
YOU WERE CHOSEN
Colossians 2:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Did you know you were chosen? Did you know God picked you out specifically to be your child’s parent? Did you know God chose you to receive Eternal Life, Everlasting Life? Did you know God sacrificed his own son for you to live … [Read more...]
Tired of Trying To Be the Perfect Parent
When it comes to parenting, how are you feeling? Is your family the picture that you had in mind? I know that for a long time I had this picture in my mind of the perfect family; the kind that you used to see on TV shows years ago. However, the reality of kids with special needs and the inability to totally control my life eventually made me take a more realistic look at image I was clinging … [Read more...]