It's Tuesday & unlike the months outside of Summer, during these few non-school months the lions-share of the kiddos professional treated therapies are scheduled for Tuesday. SJ has Occupational Therapy & Speech (2 hours) & Bella, Roo & S-bear have Speech, Occupational & Social Play Therapy (3 hrs./child). This day is jam packed, but it's easier to have one NUTZ day then to be constantly pegged with therapy scheduled throughout the week. It also gives us flexibilty in the remainder of our home therapy & activities.
There were some awesome happenings from the kids today. When S-bear got mad that he had to WORK in Speech, he said, "My fruit snacks!" Our therapist held her ground to make him complete the task, to which he answered, "Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, VOLCANO!" He actually made an analogy of his feelings of frustration to an abstract process of a volcano errupting. That is so HUGE in milestones for kids on the spectrum of Autism, as typically abstract principles are difficult for them to comprehend & generalize. Later, while finishing up the day at Play therapy for the 3, SJ & I played in the wait area & I did all the medical history paperword (well, started it-- I won't go there now). It was 2 hours of therapy, so a LOOOOONNNNGGGG time in a 2 year old's world. The therapists all came out with kids to wrap-up the sessions. After 5 minutes, SJ ran over to the chair with my keys, phone & wallet-- grabbed them up in her pudgy little babyish hands & said "I say bye-bye". It was awesome seeing her put together a sequence & vocalize her thoughts & opinion, cuing us into her boredom. I've learned to never take such a small thing for granted. Anyhow, for our 2nd round of dual therapies & new therapist the kids did great.
On our way home, the sun was shining after a long couple days of rain & it's rays were filtering through a thick a grove of hardwood trees on the horizon, as I was mentally recapping the day. It was a beautiful scene. Though exhausted from all the activity & coordination of mulitiple therapies for: a 2 yr old, two 4 yr olds & a 6 yr old, I had a wave of peace come over me. This does not happen a lot & seemed profound in contrast to the business of the day. I kept thinking of how thankful I am, that so many things have come together for us despite the myriad of complications Autism brings to 1) life in general 2) family life 3) each child & 4) the providers/caregivers of these unique individuals. This peace was a welcomed hug from above; God is Good.
Just a few months ago, I'd written in ink my prayers, asking the Lord for His community to provide for our children & then shared it with the world. Talk about putting it all out there-- there's another leap of faith, but God put it on my heart to share in this journey-- everything so that others may find healing, knowledge, community & maybe even inspiration through these beautiful children He's leant me. He has provided & the miracles keep trickling in. I couldn't help but be taken back by all that had transpired over the past couple months, starting with 1) huge healing for each of the children & restoration of old skills & gain of some new-- AGAIN that's never taken for granted in this arena. Dr. G. has been one of our Earth angels & our faith in his approaches have brought undisputable progress. 2) We were re-established with old friends in a beautiful family who is helping us care for the kids through 2 young ladies who are sisters. E & S-- we all LOVE YOU! You make a difference in our kids lives through your fun spirit & unconditional love. 3) A wonderful therapist who's known us for 3 years offered to start an ABA program for us, brought us volunteers for the summer & a wonderful spirit of giving to help SJ. 4) New Equine therapy & New OT/Social therapy, plus the comfort of an OT & ST that have stood by us now for 4 years. All these miracles by God's hand. I'm awestruck & humbled once again.
As I couldn't sleep last night I couldn't stop thinking about these things & despite my daily feelings of happy chaos-- how glorious God's light is on our family. Then it hit me. I need to expect His miracles & open my heart to seeing them, even if only in small fractions. Everyday we are surrounded by our Maker's orchestration of miracles, separated by people in only degrees. My faith must be tested for me internalize His promises. In faith I need to expect trials, but also blessings. And, always know that both will come in forms foreign to me and on a different time schedule, but He will not leave me. These miracles transpire from our human viewpoint in quantities that are ranging from big to small-- that is only our human perception, because to Him all miracles are equal & gifts He gives to his children, against our human assumption-- unconditionally. Watching each of my children from birth until this point at the lowest of times & incredibly high points make me understand His love & desire for our love & knowledge/trust in Him.
No matter what your faith, family, spiritual background or beliefs you must own your heart & mind's power to realize good in this world. Expect to ask for help occassionally in doing this, or you will grow frustrated from lack of control over things not meant to be controlled by YOU. If you project good, good will find you; if you perseverate on the negative, you'll stick to negative. Expect challenges, then expect triumph...
I'm going to find some miracles today, will you?
"My faith must be tested for me internalize His promises." -- wow, this profoundly spoke to me.
ReplyDeleteAs well as "Expect challenges, then expect triumph..."
L-O-V-E it. I am not personally effected by autism, but even so - just for a regular woman like me - you (and your faith) are inspirational.