"A child with disabilities often spends hours being taught how to interact with others.
But why don't we spend time teaching those without disabilities how to interact with them?"
Calleen Peterson
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Saturday, August 22, 2020
The Moment That Forever Changed Me
They say life is made of moments. Small pieces of time that quickly slip away. There are the big, important moments that take your breath away, or break your heart in two. With lots of small, insignificant moments in-between.
All it takes is one small segment of time to forever change who you are. I had such a moment 16 years ago. A moment that redefined me and brought new purpose to my being.
On August 19, 2004 I brought David's spirit into the world. And every moment since has brought me an opportunity to love more, give more, hope more, pray more . . .
BE MORE.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A HANDSOME 16 YEAR OLD
Friday, August 21, 2020
Robert W. Stoll, Ph.D, LMFT
Rob had to make a slide that represented himself for work. I love how he captured himself as a father and Marriage and Family Therapist.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Graduation COVID-style
GRADUATION COVID-STYLE
My 6th grader is off to Junior High!
(if the schools ever re-open)
The mask says it all!
PIONEER DAY
PIONEER DAY
JULY 24, 2020
"They laid the foundation. Ours is the duty to build on it."
Pres. Hinckley
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Lead Me, Guide Me
LEAD ME, GUIDE ME
WALK BESIDE ME, HELP ME FIND THE WAY
(5 years later)
We're still in it
Still leading and guiding
Still trudging uphill
Arm-in-arm.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
Tender Mercies
" . . . the Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ . . . the tender mercies of the Lord are real and do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord's timing of his tender mercies helps us to discern and acknowledge them."
It was early on a Sunday evening and Rob and I were relaxing on the bed with the baby trying to hold onto what remained of the weekend. Rob got up to bath the girls and after feeding the baby I got up too.
To my horror I discovered the backdoor wide open! I was certain it had been locked. An open door only meant one thing―our little runner had escaped and was off wandering through the neighbourhood.
"Rob! Rob! The backdoor is open!" I yelled, "Where's David?" My heart was pounding and my thoughts were racing. I needed to think clearly and act quickly.
"Please don't let him have gotten so far I need to call 911. . . again," I prayed, ". . . and please keep him from getting hit by a car."
I grabbed my car keys, cell phone and slippers and called out to Rob, "I'm taking the car!" Experience has taught me I can cover more ground more quickly with the car.
I decided to go in the direction of 900 E since this is where he was picked up last time. I got to my car only to discover it was occupied―by David! He was sitting in the driver's seat shuffling through my other set of keys, like he was trying to find the one that starts the car.
Relief washed over me along with alarm. David had been found and he was safe. He didn't even make it past the driveway. But he wanted to drive the car―he's only 10!
I herded him back into the house and locked the door and grabbed every bunch of keys I could find. Rob and I had talked about this day. We knew David would one day develop the fine motor skills to unlock the door. We had also joked about him wanting to drive the car. We knew this day was coming, but we didn't think it would come so soon.
Now what?
Our whole security system is based on lock and key.
Now what? How do we keep David in? And how do we keep him from getting the keys?
A stifling pressure of "now what's" filled my head and I still felt a little shaky. I went to the bedroom to check on the baby.
Fifteen minutes later there was a knock at the door. Emma bounced into my room and announced, "It's the nice ladies who make us cookies!" This was music to my ears. Cookies. Sugar. What perfect timing!
Terri and Camille didn't stay long but their visit calmed my anxious spirit. They showed up right when I needed them. They weren't able to provide me with solutions to my security problem, but they did leave me feeling loved and comforted. Which is exactly what I needed.
The timing of their visit was so remarkable.
Coincidence? I don't think so.
More like inspiration.
Through their act of service I was able to recognize the hand of the Lord and feel of His love for me. The timing of their visit confirmed that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my needs.
What a sweet and joyous comfort.
What a tender mercy.
Monday, June 1, 2015
How We See the World
"So how do people with autism see the world, exactly? We, and only we, can ever know the answer to that one! Sometimes I actually pity you for not being able to see the beauty of the world in the same way we do. Really, our vision of the world is incredible, just incredible . . . "
Higashida, Naoki. (2013). The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy With Autism. New York: Random House.
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