Sounds Of Spring

I borrowed this picture of a spring peeper from naturesound.com. I would love to post an audio clip of tonight's early evening sounds from the Deweybarn. Tonight's song is a crescendo of peepers peeping, rushing water from over-filled streams and calls from migrating Canadian geese. It feels strange that ten days ago we had clouds that were spitting snow.

Magic

Today I didn't mention Easter until lunchtime. I told them I would set up an egg hunt after lunch. With full bellies they politely trotted off to the back yard with bags for gathering jellybean-filled-eggs. They came in with their booty and I passed out hollow chocolate bunnies. That was it.

Sam has been sharing information he hears from his peers. "Joey and Aron said there is no Toothfairy." Last summer Sam drew a picture for the Toothfairy, placed it inside a box secured with tape. We asked a friend to write a note from the Toothfairy thanking him for the lovely picture. We re-sealed the box with her note inside. Recently Sam asked, "Is the Polar Express real? Ronnie and Joey said there is no Santa Claus." Our answers have been philosophic. "Polar Express is the story is of someone who doubts the magic of Christmas. After his experiences on that Christmas Eve he never stops believing in magic."

It's a bummer when external influence contributes to our children's view of the world. Thankfully, we see magic everyday at the Deweybarn. The Easter Bunny doesn't bring candy but we do watch wild bunnies make homes here. Santa's reindeer don't make tracks on the roof, but we see deer moving about our trails eating berries and drinking from the stream. On clear nights we've watched the colors of Northern Lights shifting through the sky. Blessed Be.

Friday Fish Fry

I'd never deep fried anything before today. Clockwise from top left, Onion Rings, Cheese-stuffed Jalapeno Peppers, Bay Scallops, and Catfish. It was all very yummy, but next time I'll broil the fish. Too much beer-battered and fried deliciousness doesn't feel so good when dinner is over.

On A Day I Feel Broken

I'm thankful the classic rock station played old school Black Sabbath this afternoon. I am grateful to have friends who are available when I call for help. Best of all, tonight my daughter fell asleep in my arms. I listened to her snore for nearly 30 minutes.

"Sam, You Are The Wildest"

We have been using a token system to reward Sam when he is ready for school by 7am. There is a menu for him to choose rewards based on the number of tokens he has saved. Today he cashed in ten tickets to color his hair any color he wanted. I was hoping he'd choose green or blue but red is his favorite color.

After saying, "Sam is so silly", Mae stated with admiration, "Sam, you are the wildest."

A Perfect Day

This is our daughter hugging Laurie Berkner. Most people with young children who have watched Nick Jr. or Noggin know her songs. There are moments in our lives, both simple and profound that come with a soundtrack. Songs from The Laurie Berkner Band are part of our soundtrack.

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The day Mae was diagnosed with autism, I called Dave from the parking garage to tell him the news. To cover up my sobs, I played Mae's favorite CD. After a few minutes I heard her singing along with Laurie Berkner, "I'm not perfect. No I'm not. I'm not perfect, but I've got what I've got. I do my very best. I do my very best. I do my very best each day, but I'm not perfect and I hope you like me that way." My heart will never forget that moment. I'd often thought of sending the band a letter to tell them how much that song meant to me in that moment.

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We learned the band planned a show in Providence this month. After considering the drive, finding dog care and cost we decided not to go. While I was on their website I sent an email with our story. The response came quickly from a member of their team. "If you ever come to a concert, we do meet and greets for our special needs fans." We quickly changed our minds, ordered tickets to the show and made travel arrangements. After the show we stood in line with other families waiting for our turn to meet the band. When they called us Mae ran into the room, did a flying leap into Laurie Berkner's arms and gave her a big hug. Laurie closed her eyes, accepted Mae's hug and hugged her back. Mae then got down from Laurie's lap, waved goodbye and ran out of the room. She was so excited! We all called to her, "Mae! Come Back!" I wonder if I'd do the same thing if I had a meet and greet with Kid Rock.

I told them our "I'm Not Perfect" story. The tears began before I even opened my mouth.

Progress

We rode by our friend's house recently and Sam declared, "C & K have kids." Our friends have been a couple and good neighbors for more than eight years. We told him we hadn't heard they have kids and he confidently responded, "They do. They have kids, I saw toys in their yard. C & K have kids now."

Our friends C & K are two women in a committed relationship who run a successful construction company together. Dave and I are impressed that Sam has no barriers when considering what constitutes a family. I am proud to live in a state, be part of a community and a member of a family that raises a child who is unaware of the discrimination his parents have seen.