Just Playing

My two youngest children and I took our dog for a walk tonight.

On the way back toward home,
I picked up two pine cones.

Round and hard,
they are good to throw.

I tossed them at my youngest daughter and laughed as they zoomed by her head.

I fetched the missed missiles and chucked them again
repeating the process until she picked them up and threw them back.

With a laugh the game ensued,
my dear one chuckled and tossed.

It was fun.

A moment of whimsy in a world that moves too fast.

So many times I get so caught up in the day to day that I don't take time to reach out to those who need extra help to have "fun".

Like my youngest,
my Katie has autism.

Unlike my son,
my dear daughter is so typical in so many ways that sometimes it is hard to remember that her self absorption isn't purposeful. It is hard to remember that she would actually like to be goofy... that she just needs some help.

We all have our moments when we need mercy.
When we need someone to reach out to us and meet us where we are.

Tonight,
my Katie Bug and I were both blessed.

A bitty happy thought floated through my mind and I was moved to seize the moment and play. She was blessed with the knowledge that I enjoy playing with her, I was blessed once again with the realization of how very endearing my precious baby girl is to me.

May you be given mercy when you need it and may you offer it as well.
I am sure
you will be blessed.

Blessings

I'm counting my blessings today.

This photo is of my little son.

He's almost eleven.

He is mostly nonverbal....

notice I didn't say silent.

(I'm smiling as I type this.)

He has been known to flood bathrooms,

break things

and do embarrassing things in public.

Today, as he sat on my floor and I played my itunes for him...

I was struck by how very much I love him.

He is high maintenance.

Sometimes his hijinks's have me wondering what I should do.

And yet...

his smile...

melts my heart.

...he loves sidewalk chalk...

cookies...

silly songs...

pizza...

walking at the parks...

He is a blessing.

...not a liability...

I am glad he's mine.

It is easy to look and see the problems.

Sometimes, when I am discouraged,

I have felt unequal to the effort it takes.

My little guy is my biggest challenge.

and...

quite likely my biggest blessing.

Today, I as I sit here,

I am saying a prayer.

One of thanks.

For the woman I have become,

because of my son.

I pray that I will be given the strength

to continue to be the mother he deserves,

the one he needs.

I hope for you,

that when you have challenges,

you will be blessed,

as you find a way to do what you need to do.

Pitch or Pack

This morning my youngest daughter pushed my buttons. A beautiful and loving girl who just happens to have autism, my kiddo's issues sometimes make me a little nuts. Puberty is a hard time for any child and when you have a few extra things to deal with, sometimes it can be rough.

We had a few words.

She's grounded for a while.

Later... after a few hugs for her and two phone calls for me, the world was right again. I am seriously convinced that everyone should have at least two numbers that they can call and let their emotions out.

For me, the first call went to my folks. I was exasperated and it was good to talk to people who, not only love me but who also have lived long enough to have sincerely good advice.

The second call was to my sister of my heart, Betty. Once related by marriage, now we're just friends. She has a child with special needs and so she "gets" many of my concerns. Beyond that, Betty is a fun person who I just honestly like.

Life brings us all many experiences.

Today, as I pack boxes, I am finding all sorts of relics from my past. I am deciding what to keep and what needs to go. It is not easy. I am a keepsake kind of girl.

What to do with "things" can be difficult to know.

But, without a doubt, I am not confused about what to do with my dearest family and friends.

I will keep them close and cherish them.

I hope for you this day,

someone to call when you are sad,

when you want to sit down and cry,

or even when you want to rant and yell.

May your friends never be farther than a phone call, text or email away.

When life makes you stressed,

May pizza be an option.

May conversation with loved ones help you find a little perspective.

Friendship is a beautiful thing!

Some days we call for comfort, other days we are the ones answering the phone.

Together we are better than we are alone!