Earlier this month Micah and I traveled to New Jersey for a visit with his sister Jamie and her family and to see the farmhouse that they had moved to last year. The trip down was grueling due to the weekend holiday traffic, but Micah is a good rider and by the grace of God … Continue reading Locked In Without A Voice
The Empty Swing
It was strategically placed so it could be viewed while standing at the kitchen sink, but somehow over the years became almost invisible due to lack of an occupant. What brought it back into focus last week, was the reality of a large birch tree branch falling neatly between the swing and the kitchen window … Continue reading The Empty Swing
Extravagant Gifts
For many years my sisters have gathered at the Chautauqua Institute for a week of fellowship, faith, music, and learning. I never attended for a number of reasons work and family related, but this year my sister Judy determined I would go by gifting the week to me as a retirement present. She knew I … Continue reading Extravagant Gifts
Parking Challenges
On and off over the years I have considered pursuing a handicapped parking permit to use only as needed when Micah's autism may trigger behavior issues while trying to park at crowded events. I seriously began to regret not ever pursuing a permit last month while attending Micah's second "Surfing With Smiles" event when I … Continue reading Parking Challenges
Rebel Days
They are fortunately few and far between, so when they occur they tend to catch Micah's aides and me by surprise. Today was such a day. Late in the afternoon when I finished work and was just starting to read a good book in the time I had left before Micah returned home, I received … Continue reading Rebel Days
Fourteen Years
Micah was fourteen years old when his father died, thus it occurred to me earlier this month that at twenty eight, he has now lived over half his life without his father. It is hard to determine how much he remembers about his father, I do quiz him from time to time by pointing to … Continue reading Fourteen Years
Forager in Residence
When a good friend noted that Micah has been putting on some pounds, I dismissed the comment quickly, saying that I had not noticed. However a few weeks later he had his annual physical and there was no denying that he had gained 15 pounds in less than 9 months. The new medication that he … Continue reading Forager in Residence
The Kindness of Strangers
It was not one of Micah's better days. His OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) was raging, and he could not seem to stop himself from trying to pick up every stray hair or piece of dirt within eyesight to either put it in his mouth or throw it somewhere. These days of heightened OCD are hard … Continue reading The Kindness of Strangers
Rag or Treasured Security
For at least two or three years I have contemplated throwing out Micah's favorite pajamas. Repaired, then worn beyond repair, the pj bottoms should have been discarded ages ago, yet they survive, I believe that we all have them; items that hold emotional value long beyond their usefulness has passed. Micah's older brother had a … Continue reading Rag or Treasured Security
Whiskey Man
The bottle was tucked away in the cupboard above the refrigerator, back behind the crock pot and cookbooks. It was a gift to my husband two or three Christmases ago, opened only a couple of times as Dean only has an occasional drink, and my tolerance of alcohol is generally, at max, a glass of … Continue reading Whiskey Man