Take Another Step

By Sandy on March 22, 2015

Many times along this journey with Josiah the path has looked rather bleak. Try as I might to look for joy and find humor, it’s not always easy. There are times quite honestly, I just wish we were on a different road, one demanding less but promising more. If it weren’t for this blog, I would probably never even admit that to myself let alone anyone else.

In those difficult moments I feel sorry for myself. I feel sorry for Josiah and I feel sorry for our family. I compare our lives to others and wonder why we don’t have it as easy as so many do. Why the constant struggles? Why the increasing aggression? Why the daily battles?

Wrecking Ball

By Sandy on February 6, 2015

The instant I looked down at my phone I knew something was wrong. I had missed 4 phone calls and 3 text messages, all in a very short window of time. Josiah’s teacher was trying to reach me. So was my husband. The voice message said, “We are having a few problems with Josiah today.”

I barely heard that. Instead I heard the frantic screams of my now teenage son, echoing in the background through the phone. In moments like that, my world stops. Almost immediately my eyes welled up with tears.

Don’t Short Change My Kid

By Sandy on September 25, 2013

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Most of the time, I am happy to listen. That is, UNTIL those opinions put limitations on my child. Don’t even go there.

I’m well aware Josiah has challenges. I understand he has great difficulty with most things. I’m quite sure I have a grasp on what he is and isn’t capable of. I do not need well meaning professionals to paint that picture for me.

If there are limitations on what someone is willing or able to do to aide Josiah with the acquisition of new skills and abilities, fine. I understand that too. Just don’t go down the road that says there’s not much more we can do for him.

Ten Thankful Things

By Sandy on January 15, 2013

Right before the new year began, the phrase ‘ten thankful things’ popped in my head. Ten thankful things? What was that all about?

Almost immediately, without really giving it too much thought, I began to mentally create a list of 10 things I was thankful for.

A day or so later, it happened again. Ten thankful things. I ticked off a quick list in my mind. This time however, I gave it a little more thought. What if I started EVERY day by thinking of ten thankful things?

The Fire Swamp

By Sandy on January 12, 2013

Josiah stayed home from school yesterday. He had a fever and slept almost all day. This morning he woke early and seemed a bit better. He wasn’t bouncy, which would indicate he was all the way better, but he was definitely smiley. Though still a bit lethargic, his interest in a string toy reassured me he was on the mend. Then I heard him cough.

If you know The Princess Bride movie, undoubtedly you remember the Fire Swamp scene. Westley rescues Buttercup from lightening quicksand, then discusses their next move. Entering the deadly swamp is the only way out of their dire situation, yet Buttercup knows if they do, they won’t survive. With a smile on his face, Westley tells her they have already succeeded. He proceeds to describe the three terrors of the Fire Swamp. The first one is the flame spurt. There’s a popping sound preceding each, which they can avoid.