Hi!
I apologize, but I have extra screen time to do for work and trainings, so staring at this screen right now just spins me out.
On a wonderful note, Brady P's heart check-up when great yesterday. "His repair was done very well (6 years ago) and just might hold for the rest of his life." ~ The Cardiologist
Woohoo!
See you when I see you!
Hi!
How are you?
I hope this post finds you well.
If it doesn't, make sure to talk to somebody about how you are feeling. They will listen!
If they don't, tell somebody else.
If it's something you have to complain about often, well, then maybe it's time for a change!
Easier said than done, but only you can change a part of your life that is bringing you down. It's not worth it to feel suppressed if you have the freedom to change your circumstances.
Believe me when I say that I have spent the last few years of my life making these changes for my own sanity and health. Right now I feel great, so that's promising. Until I get into the next learning experience I will soon need to get out of.
Ha!
That's how life works.
I enjoy the ebb and flow. I am eager to keep learning about myself. I appreciate difficult situations that show me what my priorities really are.
I have even gotten to the point where extremely humbling, ego-shattering experiences bring me peace. They say, "That's not what life is about, Amanda! Humble yourself!"
And I do. It's so peaceful.
Peace is better than drama, 100%!
But I have also worked diligently to surround myself with support from friends, family and community. It's such an uplifting feeling, and I'm grateful!
I hope you have a good friend too. I really do! I hope you have at least one person you can depend on to lend an ear.
If you don't, please reach out to somebody else in your family, neighborhood, from high school or even a professional.
Heck, you can even shoot me an email!
Nobody should feel boxed up or alone.
Life isn't easy all the time. But when it is, be grateful and share it with others. When it's not, talk to those others.
That's what keeps us on a good path.
Okay, my sermon is done for the day! Enjoy your week!
Hi!
Brady P and I went to visit my parents for a few days.
With our timing, we scored the best time to pick strawberries at Glendale Farms.
I remember going there as a kid with my brother and sister (and parents, of course) and coming out of the fields with red hands, chins and shirts. I loved the tractor-pulled wagon ride that got us to our rows.
It really is a cool experience, so I was tickled that we got to do it with my own little boy!
Hi!
If you've read Digging for Light, you might remember a story where a teenage boy, who thought Brady P. was really cool, asked me what Down syndrome was. He had never heard of it.
Do you remember what I did?
I totally flopped.
I gave him a text book answer from the 1980's. Not very flattering for that extra 21st chromosome.
Well, today I was talking to a grown man about my son. After a while he said, "I don't really know what Down syndrome is."
I started with the typical extra 21st chromosome biology stuff, but I realized that doesn't really mean much to anyone unless they are in the medical or biology field.
Then I flashed back to that moment I flopped with the teenager. I realized that this was my moment to redeem myself! Someone who didn't know what it meant! How could I shape their reality?
In a mere second, I figured out how to break it all down into two parts. I took a deep breath and started.
"Well, I think there are two main components." I said. "For one, their brain is not really set up to learn and develop like most people do. They have to work really, really hard and do things many times before they really understand most concepts.
"For two," I continued, "I think they are more connected to some of the important things in life. They are better able to empathize with others, show unconditional love and be grateful and joyful in the moment."
There. I did it! And I think he understood.
It was really a neat moment in my life, I suppose.
I just find it odd because I am a mother of someone who has that extra chromosome, so I take for granted that everyone knows what it is. And when somebody doesn't, I'm so shocked that I almost don't know what to say!
But I think that answer sums it up for the most part.
Then I went on to list some of Brady P's talents and ensured him that even people with Down syndrome are different amongst themselves just like all humans are.
Cuz we all are. And we should respect that.
Brady P. likes to take dogs for a walks. I don't really recommend his services yet because he is quite a leash yanker, but maybe he'll ease up someday... and get a job! Ha!
Hey!
Nice to see you again.
I was pulling two to three times the hours on a computer in the office, and staring at my own computer was the last thing I wanted to do in the evening. So thanks for your patience.
Town is different since I saw you last. For many reasons, but, to name a few, the trees now have all their leaves, more businesses are open, more people are here and the black flies are out!
All good things, I suppose!
Brady P. is doing great. He gets to meet random people and charm them, so that's always heart-warming!
And it's certainly rock chucking season, so we've been down at the shores. It's wonderful for us both. I try to let him lead where we go and how long we stay. It's just easier for us both that way. I'm not one to promote stressful situations.
Life is good, though.
Braeden's dad is back up for the summer, so they get to spend time together. B-man sure loves to do guys things! I can't say I'm particularly good at them, so I'm happy they both get to do that for each other.
I really don't have anything profound for you at the moment. Just wanted to check in. I hope you are doing well and listening to your heart!
Because it will just keep trying to get your attention until you listen.
For real!
