The best part of my day is when I see Owen smile. I can’t always explain to him what’s going on or why things feel challenging to him but I can tell him I love him. I could tell he needed sensory input today. He wanted me to hold him and push his legs tight against his body almost making him into a ball. He is so incredibly flexible but it seems like he needs the help adjusting his body. There are days that he shakes his hands like he is trying to keep them from falling asleep. The way he does it makes me think about the prickly feeling when my foot has fallen asleep or the Charlie horses I get in my legs. He never cries out in pain but I can sense he becomes acutely aware of the feelings going on. I remind myself of all triumphs he has made and even though he can’t explain his need for input he is able to express when he needs it and where. He will put my fingers on his toes and sing out “this little piggy went to market”. At first, I thought it was about the nursery rhyme but as time went on I realized it was less about the song and instead more about the ways he communicates with me. I see miracles every day from him and his memory is incredible and long. He will randomly say things to me that we haven’t seen or talked about in months or even years. He’ll mention it or explain something about a situation that happened. It’s like once he can process it then he finally will talk about it. I still remember when one of the first times he used his words to explain something to me. When he was still very young he had gotten a stuffed animal for Christmas. One night, years later, he was in bed and he not only asked for the stuffed animal we called “buck” but he told me who the stuffed deer was from. Since then he finds ways to ask for items or explain something even though it may not be in the traditional sense. I’m thankful for the steps he has taken and his growth throughout the years. Never give up. Even through the sunshine tears will fall but I look at the journey and I know tomorrow is a brand new day. I’m thankful for today and look forward to the journey yet to come. Count your blessings, live in the hope for tomorrow, and never give up. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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