On Moving Up....

When he was about 15 months old, my son had early intervention therapists in our home. Six times a week speech, OT, play therapy and social skills therapists would come to our home-changing our lives and the life of our child. The doorbell was always ringing. When he was three, he was placed into a special education preschool year round. He would get on the tiny little school bus in the morning and get off in the afternoon. Every single day he as we walked down the driveway, I would ask him how his day was and the response was always the same-silence. But I asked every day and carried on conversations with him-even though they were never met with responses.
When he turned five, he was sent to elementary school-in a tiny class for kids with varying abilities and challenges. He had limited verbal skills, but he truly began to blossom when he began kindergarten. He still had speech, OT and social skills and he worked so very hard to communicate. He could name words when asked, but to use words in conversational context was beyond challenging.
He remained with the same special education teacher and team for 1st grade as well. These teachers can never fully realize on how much of an impact they had on the life of my child and his future. On one very ordinary day, the bus dropped my son off and as we walked down the driveway back to our house, I asked him for the millionth time how his day was and he said "good." "Good." It was the simplest of responses, yet the most profound. This boy was having a tiny conversation with me. Nothing much more was said, but the beauty, hope and meaning of this ordinary day suddenly became extraordinary.
He continues to inspire and amaze us. He is still in between special education classes and therapies, but he also hangs in the regular education classes for some of his subjects. He struggles with many things, but he is happy. He is a beautiful soul.
He had his 4th grade moving up ceremony this week and I am touched by this child's happiness, strength and how far he has come. He is the Chimp on the top row, holding up his certificate for the world to see. He was the proudest and happiest in the bunch. He was waving it for everyone to see. I have never felt more love towards my child, nor a stronger sense of pride in this boy. He is my hero. He is the definition "good."

Cherish your children. They always amaze. Be grateful. And always take time to be present.

xo