Josiah is non verbal. He has never spoken a complete sentence. He doesn’t frequently say anything remotely decipherable. At times he makes vocalizations. I’ve heard him utter something that sounds a little like ‘mom’ if you listen close enough. I love when he makes those vocalizations. It’s not often.

But Josiah does not need words to let me know how much he loves me. It is evident by the way he lights up when I enter the room. It’s obvious when he crawls up into my lap and wraps his little arm around my neck. It’s very apparent when he smiles that smile of his that fills his whole face and fills my heart with joy. That’s enough for me. I however, do have a voice. Today I will use it to honor my mom. She is after all, rather amazing!

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Josiah absolutely loves our dog Mocha. It was an instant attraction for him. Not so sure it was for Mocha. A few years ago our children pleaded for a dog. We’ve always been dog people and have had many of them through the years. It was no surprise the kids were anxious for another one.

My husband however was not interested in a puppy. We have 5 children. More than enough to take care of. A puppy would just mean more work. He never was a dog lover. Not until I surprised him shortly after we were married with our first puppy. Didn’t take long for Rick to fall in love with Farley. That dog became such an important part of his life that even many years after he was gone, Farley’s face was the screen saver on Rick’s work computer.

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If ever I am so blessed, I will establish a non profit organization to helps families of children with disabilities, in a tropical location that looks like paradise with amazing amenities to delight all ages and ability levels, to pamper and to provide respite for the entire family at no expense to them.

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The dictionary defines respite as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.  For caregivers, it simply means taking a break.  Usually a much deserved break.  Caregiving is difficult.  Caregiving is challenging.  Caregiving wears you out.

I’ve read tragic stories of parents of special needs children who take their child’s life and then their own.  How absolutely horrific.  I’m sure for anyone who has never walked in their shoes, it’s incomprehensible.  We can’t imagine ever feeling so desperate that we’d resort to such an extreme.  But it happens.  More often than we’d care to believe.

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Here’s a little background on my son.  He enjoys music.  He loves bouncing.  He loves to make vocalizations or as I refer to them, ‘happy sounds’.  He likes things that move and spin and light up. 

He loves to ride on the back of my bike and be pulled in a wagon.   He enjoys movement.  He loves to rough house and be tickled.  He enjoys walking the dog and dragging pull toys that have long stings.  He loves helium balloons.  His enjoys Mardi Gras beads. 

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