We stood by the door, getting ready to leave for Owen’s school bus, when he took my hand, moving it into the “I love you” sign. He moved my fingers back, and forth, wanting me to repeat it over, and over, until he moved to the other hand. We had to go, but I could have stood there for a lifetime. These are the moments that I long for; but there was more to come. We got to the car, it was too cold to stand at the bus stop, and as I was strapping him in, he kept saying “I wuv ewe”. He repeated it several times, trying to move his fingers to the sign. He made a kissy noise, and leaned his head forward for me to kiss. I stood there in the cold, but I didn’t care; my soul was happy. When your child is nonverbal these moments are the ones that keep you going. He’s learning to talk, uses words more, and more every day, but he still doesn’t know how to respond to questions, or carry on a conversation. He’s getting it, oh how he is definitely getting it, but still these are the moments I know how much he has grown to put it all together. As we drove to the bus stop, not even a block a way, I could hear his excitement, through the babble I couldn’t understand, but recognized his tone as an advertisement for a Disney Junior show. As we sat at the bus stop, I could see Owen moving his hands back, and forth, trying to wave, and sign “I love you”. That’s what I do, as he is getting buckled into his seat on the bus, I stand on the sidewalk showing him the “I love you” sign, moving two of my fingers up, and down, as a wave. When he saw the bus turn the corner, from many blocks away, he said, “is he here yet”, as the smile washed across his face. I was trying to wait until the last possible moment to get him out of the car, and he said, “open open open de door”. My sweet baby O was ready to go. Today, when the aide was buckling him in, I could see his full attention looking out the window at me. As the bus drove away, I was thankful for our morning. Thankful that his voice was strong, and full today. Celebrate the little things in life. Every step forward is worth celebrating. Take a moment, reflecting on the positive side of life. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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