When my son Tom was eight, he needed a tooth pulled. Or as the pediatric dentist we went to said, “wiggled out.” “Mom, that means he’s pulling my tooth out, yes?” “Yes, Tom.” Then the dentist went to give him a shot of “silly juice,” which would make his mouth feel “funny.” “Mom, that’s Novocaine, right? And, my mouth is going to feel numb, right?” “Yes, … [Read more...]
A Summer Bucket List for Mom
Every summer I vow to make a summertime bucket list with my family. Have you ever seen one of these? They’re a list of ideas to spark a summer full of enjoyment and learning. They can be as ambitious as a trip abroad, as fun as a day at the zoo, or as simple as a campout in the backyard. Maybe there’s a series of books you would like to read as a family. You could try … [Read more...]
Some Days
Some days raising a child with significant special needs means witnessing miracles. Simple things that most parents would take for granted become landmarks. If Lizzy answers me when I ask her what dress she would like to wear, or spontaneously lets me know she likes the strawberry ice cream she is eating, that’s a big deal. Some days it feels as if my heart is being torn out … [Read more...]
Together Again
Last August, my son Tom and I walked out of his counselor’s office happy that he got every class and teacher he wanted for his sophomore year in high school. He even got into a film class, which he was really excited about. Our joy was short-lived though when school started two weeks later, and it turned out that his second period class was not the right section of Spanish. … [Read more...]
It’s Just Another Day
Mothers Day is fast approaching. This means everywhere I look I’m bombarded with ads and commercials that picture a happy mother cuddling her baby or getting sloppy kisses from her toddler. The second Sunday of May is often depicted in loving images, with husbands showering their wives with beautiful and expensive presents and children making breakfast in bed for mommy. The … [Read more...]
