"What are you thankful for?" Nick asks Elias at the dinner table. Elias plays with his fork and looks down.
"Did you hear your Dad's question?" I reach out and touch his head.
"I'm thankful for my chicken." Elias looks at his plate. "And rice."
"Anything else from today? From school? Or from your time with Ms. Julia?"
"That we did an experiment in science."
"Yeah?"
His teacher added Alkaseltzer to water to make it fizz. Mrs. Babcock told me later that when she asked the class what it looked like Elias said: "Beer."
Yup, that's my boy.
"What are you thankful for Mom?"
Where do I begin...?
I'm thankful that it has been a week since Elias has had any major melt-downs. That he didn't squeeze his sister's face when she stole his puzzle pieces but instead said, "Stop Olive I need those!"
That yesterday he sat at the table with his sister and initiated a conversation with her: "Olive, what did you do while I was at school?"
"Play."
"What did you play?" He asked. A follow-up question! Related to the topic at hand!!
It may seem insignificant for a big brother to ask a little sister about her day, but in our household its downright magical. I'm thankful for moments like these that make me stop and listen. That give me hope that my son's injured brain is far more capable than impaired.
While dancing in the kitchen last night, both kids held my hands and spun around me until we all felt dizzy. Elias let go and stumbled toward the table, then said, "Its like you are a rotary and I just got off."
My boy who makes metaphors and memorizes roadways. Disabled what? Disabled who?
For an activity in class, Elias chose his favorite body part and explained why. Mrs Babcock hung their pictures in the hallway; a lot of the 3rd graders chose their hair or eyes or lips or hands-- Elias was the only one who chose his head. This is what he dictated to his Aide, Ms. Julia:
As hard as this life of mine is at times, I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror, if I didn't recognize the beauty and wonder that is Elias.
Happy Thanksgiving All!
This has me in a weepy puddle. So much beauty and so much progress. SO much to be thankful for even when the hard days seem so very, very hard. Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Niksmom | 11/21/2012 at 06:19 PM
way to go Elias! great thinking with that round head of yours! Happy Thanksgiving to your whole family...valerie
Posted by: valerie | 11/21/2012 at 08:35 PM
Beautiful!! Elias processes slower than the normal child but he does process. He has come so far from the day of his birth - we are so lucky to have him with us. He is teaching us ALL some things that only Elias can do in his own time frame. Patience is a virtue.
Drive safely and have a wonderful Turkey Day. We miss you and will see you soon.
Posted by: Mom | 11/22/2012 at 03:24 AM
Good Lord. What an amazing post. So happy for you. I think Elias got his amazing head from you, Christy!! (Sorry, Nick--if I knew you I could give you some credit, too.)
Posted by: danielle in zurich | 11/22/2012 at 06:11 AM
I am grateful for you and your beautiful family. Also for your amazing writing. Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Kate | 11/23/2012 at 05:51 AM
So happy to have such faithful readers who fill me up with your words. Been away from the computer but all is well. Will write soon.
Posted by: Christy | 11/27/2012 at 10:09 PM