Krackle

My papa bear is so cute. Always has been. And as I watch him change, some things are so humorous.  It makes me happy to know he is happy, enjoys things almost all the time and if he doesn't he will not remember. A simple suggestion will turn his frown upside down. Oh to have that gift of a short term memory for the unpleasant things and to be so easily redirected to happy thoughts:-)

So to give you an example of the simple joys of life I take you to the doctors office. He remembers his primary "Dr. K" but not the specialist. But that's okay. The specialist introduces himself every time with such a gentle manner that I am almost convinced we haven't met before......well almost. Each doctor reviews the test results, each time with the same surprise from dad. And before we are to the door he has forgotten the news. Wonderful!

And so this week I decided to take him a few treats. It is Easter season and the really fun candy is out in all the fancy wrappers. He loves treats. He is like a little kid when given goodies and it is such a joy to see him enjoy the little things so completely. Anyway, I had a little gift bag and a couple of bags of candy. Mini M & M's and mini candy bars. He digs through the bag and pulls out a pink candy bar. "Krackle, I don't think I have ever had one before!" He opened it and wow, that was really good.

We talk about the weather and having lunch when he returns to his care center. This makes him hungry so he digs through the bag and pulls out a small candy in a pink wrapper. "Krackle. I don't think I have ever had one before." Oh, that is really good he declares. I am smiling, a little chuckle. We enjoy people watching, talking about birds and what field trip he will go on during the week. As we wait a bit longer, he digs through the bag and finds a bag of the mini M & M's. Those are fun.

As he drops the M & M wrapper into the bag, he digs for one more piece of candy. It is pink, Krackle. He hasn't had one before! Okay, I am enjoying this very much. I am laughing as I am holding three wrappers and seeing him enjoy it as if it was the very first time. And in a way for him it is. He has just as much pleasure with the third Krackle as the first.

I remind him that eating the bag of candy does not count as lunch and he smiles. He will take the rest home for after. But I wonder if he ate more on the ride back and if any of them were pink!

I wonder how often I take little joys for granted as the "new" is gone and I am no longer amused or excited. How great would it be to open a book, or cupboard, or whatever and be just as excited as the very first time. Think about it, if you looked at your spouse as if it was the very first time, EVERY time. And what if the bad news vanished as soon as it arrived in favor of happier thoughts. What a gift.

I am so glad he is happy. I pray he will continue to enjoy everything as if it as the first time, like the air museum (3 trips) or Cody's visit (new every time....even if gone to the restroom) as he continues on this very unpredictable journey.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Decisions Decisions

Sometimes life is not as we expect. Who am I kidding??? It is RARELY what we expect but quite often more than we could imagine. I have found that just when I think I have it figured out, the page is turned and I am back to square one. Ever been there? It is quite perplexing and well at times....exhausting. I watch those around me in times when the weight of the world is on their shoulders and the burden is great. They fight it, try and toss it off, refuse to deal with it, deny it exists, all while the great "globe" sits on their back, pressing them down. If they can not resolve the conflict, come to a firm decision, they eventually just give up.

                                                           

Now, that could sound like a terrible defeat. It could sound like failure. Often however in their weakness they can have the greatest victory! That battle, that intense struggle, is just a diversion on the road to answers. It is a speed bump, if you will. They are forced to slow down, assess the damage and look for solutions. They no longer look within, but their focus is moved to the world around them. What help is near, what options are there, who is able to help? Because they can no longer move on their own they are forced to seek help, forced to look deeper.

                                       

So what do you do when you have a huge decision to make and no idea what to do, or when? Or perhaps you have part of the answers, but not ALL of them. You could just jump in and take what you get. That is often what people do either because they don't care or no longer have the energy or attention to give something. Can go either way. If it is good they say "we were right". If it is  bad they tend to blame others for not telling them what to do. Hmmmm. They walk around sounding like Rocky.. "Don't Worry Bout' It!"

                                                

Others can analyze it to death. MANY people do this. They spend SOOO much energy on the problem they can not possibly see the answer even if it is sitting on the couch next to them or on the paper in their hand or in the voice on the phone. They could be reading the exact words they are asking to hear and not comprehend a single sentence. They have clouded their ability to receive the right answer, as they are unable to trust it, and will pull every detail apart.

                                      

Or in the best case, they are sitting still, silent, listening for direction. They are paying attention because they have come to the end of their own rope, no more ideas, no more fuss. They are open to hear the still small voice telling them exactly what and when to do whatever it is. They are immediately at peace as a result because they are no longer wrestling an enormous weight. It is fascinating to see people set free from all the cares in the world, especially those they should never have held on to from the beginning. They seem lighter, free, able to deal not only with the problems and cares in their life but the process needed to get past that bumpy road. No hesitation, no regrets.

                                                    

So, what are you waiting for? Lay it down, whatever it is, stop over thinking it, stop searching for reasons to see it fail or trying to change the focus. Let go let God! Hey, I have heard that before....I think it makes perfect sense.  

Happy Saturday Friends and Family! Proverbs 3:5 

The Blessing Counter: Six things you might not know about being a special needs parent...

The Blessing Counter: Six things you might not know about being a special needs parent...

Catching Up



Dust Storm Due West

 So I am driving all over town. It is a high mileage day for me. Some days I drive 5 miles to work and 5 miles back. This particular day however I drove 186 miles. It was a lot of driving. Fortunately I don't mind. I can listen to my radio and enjoy healthy entertainment and unwinding between meetings. Things like Classic Radio Mysteries, The Comedy Channel or K-LOVE blasting with the sunroof wide open (and the heat on). Perfect! But I noticed a sight in the distance that at first looked like a plume of smoke rising from the west. As I drove toward it the plume became a funnel shape and then into a wall of pure, brown, Arizona, pollen impregnated DIRT. Awesome!! So it was windows up, vents off and sunroof closed. I am going in. All  I needed was Indiana Jones to navigate. But as I passed through it I was gifted with some wonderful views. So I determined that even dirt can be beautiful .....from a certain point of view. Good times.

There is nothing quite like friends. And Cody is the most devoted friend. And a committed social butterfly. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. And you can be certain, you will be greeted and excused with equal enthusiasm. At the City of Peoria Art Show there were close to 100 people in a building designed for 40, MAX, many of them pubescent teens with such high energy they could have powered the energizer rabbit. High Voltage.

Art Show - City of Peoria

Deby and Mark Springer visit from Kansas with the Parents

 When you meet some people you can enjoy their company but not really be impacted in a way that remains when they leave. Others you may meet only a few brief moments and yet feel like you are life long friends. The Springer's are such people. They are lovely, kind, interesting and genuinely fun. They come each year for a short visit and it is the visit we will talk about until they come back again. They feel like family. And whether they know it or not, they are grafted in. I could warn them but what is the fun in that. One family quirk at a time is likely all an adopted family member can take at a time. And it supports my theory that God has a tremendous sense of humor.

My two favorite men in the whole wide world!

When I 'found' my husband I was so blessed. I thought God gave me the greatest gift. And He did. Then we had Cody and the gift was magnified. A husband who is honest, committed, wise, faithful and funny. A son who is a huge hug, sunshine in a box, silly, happy, kind and full of love. Well what else can I say. Blessed!!

Group Picture - Cody at the Center of it all!

So it is rare we get to see our children in their natural environment, acting "natural". Sitting back silently and just watching, I saw this young man, who I still envision as a six year old (I know, I have issues) hangin' with his crowd. Teasing, laughing, at the center of the gang, doing things to make others laugh, being loved and hung on. He walked in to this huge event and left us! High fiving and hugging with a "Hey Dude" "What's Happening" "Nice Hair" He eventually completed his rounds and joined us at the table. We felt honored to get a minute of his time. Makes me a bit guilty about the days I wish I could have a minute to myself....I may not really be ready for that! Sigh.

Alexandra and Cody

Then of course as the event progresses I see his friends huddle around HIM, embrace him, laugh with him. He has FRIENDS and they LOVE him. And he has FUN and can HANG with the crowd. He is NOT on the outside but in the CENTER of a great group of human beings. WOW! I am so proud he has developed so much confidence and enjoys being "in the hood!"


Isaiah, Cody and Jessica! Friends:-)

 It is amazing to see the circle of life if you will.. Friends who he has known in one place now at another. And they have each other to lean on. Good news, Cody loves to care for others EVEN when they don't need it or don't think they need it. He is very willing to tell them what to do anyway. And because they like Cody they might just do what he wants. And they know that in the end they still get to do what they had planned.


Logan, Paris, Carlee, Ms. Taylor, Cody, Lance and Diana at Harlem Globetrotters

 From one year to the next we add on to the roster of friends. We can say he is a magnet! He sticks to people and they seem to stick to him. I know that over the course of any day he is not alone. And I can guarantee you he is rarely quiet. Shhhh don't tell him I said that:-) He never forgets, never lets go. Friends!


Cody and a Trotter


So you hold your hands like this and point your fingers like that and then smile, say cheese. Yes, he gave that tall Globetrotter all of those instructions prior to this picture. Trotter got it going on. good job:-) And in case you don't recognize that hand move, it is the Wiggles famous hand waggle. He has this down pat. The next NEW Wiggle could just as well take training from Cody. Wigglology 101.

Codys' Ms Caroline! We love her!!

And I am quite certain that he loves GIRLS of many ages. He LOVES Ms Caroline. And having met her I get it. She is sweet, flowing, gentle, great accent, patient and beautiful. He is at home in her company, included in the conversation and activity. She has a great gift with special people. And her popularity is global as she gives of herself around the world teaching and encouraging children with special needs to BE, MOVE,  BELIEVE, DANCE! Cody looks forward to the next great adventure: Nutcracker!! "I love to dance!"

And there you have it. This is the past 4 weeks. And there is more that happened in the last 4 weeks but these are some of the fun parts. Yippee! So what is missing? Well you will just have to wait and see.