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Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
A Little Line
I squealed in delight like a small child, clapping my hands and cheering! In an instant it bubbled up in my throat and spilled forth of its own volition. Why? He drew a line! A line from on point to another, WITHOUT help! At three years, eight months old, he finally did it - and it has taken session after session of therapy for Cerebral Palsy to get him here. It made me feel better about my outburst to realize that his therapist has a similar response.
And so, I'm reminded that it is the simplest things - the little lines - that matter. The one on one time sitting with him, showing him how to use his fine motor skills. Patiently tapping down my irritation and desire to do it myself, to move faster.
I've been working with him on the iPad in quiet moments. There are dozens of apps that are free for download to help with fine motor skills. I'm thankful that he loves them.
And so, I'm reminded that it is the simplest things - the little lines - that matter. The one on one time sitting with him, showing him how to use his fine motor skills. Patiently tapping down my irritation and desire to do it myself, to move faster.
I've been working with him on the iPad in quiet moments. There are dozens of apps that are free for download to help with fine motor skills. I'm thankful that he loves them.
Moments
A million moments seem to have passed since I blogged last. Great moments, funny moments, difficult moments, easy moments... busy moments! I've composed a dozen posts in my mind and snapped hundreds of photos. I fully intend to catch up on the projects and life that has been going on behind the scenes as soon as I get a down day.
In the meantime, tonight, I tried to explain to my eldest niece why I've quit my full time job to stay home with nine children. One of my brothers went through a divorce earlier this year and has custody of his five stunningly beautiful, but rambunctious children.
It is hard to explain my decision, especially since part of me wants to climb the career ladder, to make a difference in my community, to change lives, to become successful in all the worldly ways. I want a nice, neat, clean, normal life. And, yes, I want an easy life.
But, as I tried to explain tonight, the wiser part of me acknowledges that easy, clean and neat aren't always the best. Not for me, not for my children, not for my nieces and nephews. Rather, I have the opportunity to be stretched and to grow, to show love on an hourly basis. I get to learn to adapt to the challenges of nine unique children, to show them Christ. I will most definitely make a difference in my community just by being active in their lives - no matter how small! My days won't be empty, they won't be easy and I'll most definitely fail. But I look forward to the sweetness, joys, fulfillment and learning that will only come from being where I am called to be.
In the meantime, tonight, I tried to explain to my eldest niece why I've quit my full time job to stay home with nine children. One of my brothers went through a divorce earlier this year and has custody of his five stunningly beautiful, but rambunctious children.
It is hard to explain my decision, especially since part of me wants to climb the career ladder, to make a difference in my community, to change lives, to become successful in all the worldly ways. I want a nice, neat, clean, normal life. And, yes, I want an easy life.
But, as I tried to explain tonight, the wiser part of me acknowledges that easy, clean and neat aren't always the best. Not for me, not for my children, not for my nieces and nephews. Rather, I have the opportunity to be stretched and to grow, to show love on an hourly basis. I get to learn to adapt to the challenges of nine unique children, to show them Christ. I will most definitely make a difference in my community just by being active in their lives - no matter how small! My days won't be empty, they won't be easy and I'll most definitely fail. But I look forward to the sweetness, joys, fulfillment and learning that will only come from being where I am called to be.
You can do nothing with children unless you win their confidence and love by bringing them into touch with yourself, by breaking through all the hindrances that keep them at a distance. We must accommodate ourselves to their tastes, we must make ourselves like them – St. John Bosco
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