Getting out of Dodge

It's been a good summer. Started off a bit damp but the golden orb in the sky has graced us with enough light that my lawn is a green and blond mix of crunchy carpet.
We have spent most nights barefoot in the back yard just being a family. I decided not to fill our summer with car trips back and forth to camps and play dates. Taki did go to one week of golf camp and four days of rock climbing camp. We also spent time at the zoo, library, and various parks. Other than that we enjoyed unscheduled bliss. I savored my days off of work by playing wiffle ball, swinging, going to the bowling alley arcade and watching and appreciating my children. I haven't been able to do that much in the past. Finally, I've been able to work some of the funk out. I became more of an observer, a researcher and an advocate. Focusing more on what I have control of. I've hung up the pitty party hat and strapped on the running shoes. I've got my mind on my health both physical and mental. I saw this great quote on the Acitve.com site on Facebook that I would like to share: "I run so the goals in my life will continue to get bigger instead of my belly". I also run for a challenge and to create some more positive energy and coping skills. I will stay in the here and now, see good things in life, and take care of myself .
Some of the shifting started when we got a letter in the mail about DHS cutting off any and all services to individual and families having or caring for children with developmental disabilities. That would mean no respite care, in home care, equipment, support, anything. It was shocking to me only because I know one person especially that it would hit and that person luckily was not GiGi. I was thinking of a close family friend. I couldn't stop thinking about her and what this might mean for her and her family. It also made me realize how lucky our family was to be able to provide our daughter the special things she needs. How could this whole population of people just be downgraded as human beings? In my mind I started to think about what this might look like for other families who rely on the little that had been provided.
It activated me in so many ways. There are many who are having a difficult time these days but let’s not decide that one group of people deserves more than others. FYI, funds were found and there will be services provided until Feb 2011. What then??? Who knows? I will be informed and be ready to advocate. I just don't get it. It just gets me going about so many things. Check this out . . . .
I was at a place that shall remain nameless. It is a small business establishment in a busy part of N.E. with a small parking lot and only one handicapped parking spot. I was with the kids and noticed that the handicapped spot had a car in it. I had seen the occupant of the car get out a few seconds after I pulled in and she was looking around like she was worried about something. I looked around and there were no other spots in this lot and as I said before it was in a very busy part of town. So I did something I very seldom do . . . I pulled up behind the car and got out to investigate whether or not the car had a handicap plate or plaque. It didn’t. I just so happened that an employee of this place was outside at the time and I told him that I needed that spot and could he ask the person who owned the car to please move it . They went in to get the car’s owner and another employee came over to my car and said to me, “I don’t think she’ll mind moving her car”. Really. Golly Gee, I hope I didn’t ruin her day by having a handicapped child. Soooo sorry lady who is late picking your kid up so you have to take the only spot available in the lot that just happens to be for people for whom you are ok with disregarding when it suits your needs. I was going to just keep any comment, appropriate or otherwise, in my head and nod politely but I didn’t. I said, “The handicap spot was not created as a convenience spot, I need to use that spot for my child’s safety, she is disabled.” I also noticed that the small space next to the handicapped spot for vans with lifts and people needing more room was also taken by a big honking station wagon. Come on now people. It’s time to get out of Dodge.
In a few weeks we will be embarking on our annual trip to Cape Cod. I am looking forward to spending time at the beach and watching my kids play in the water, fill their bathing suits and ears with sand while discovering interesting shel ls and sea life. We’ll shower outside, pray outside, eat outside, and play outside. We’ll curse the mosquitoes and our sunburned shoulders while toasting marshmallows and listening to crickets. We’ll watch the Sox game and sit by while grandpa turns the television on and off, (to avoid disappointment overload). Grandma will get us all moving ; making something, learning something, trying something. We’ll visit with YaYa and Papou where the kids can get their fill of kisses and hugs, tickles and treats to eat. I will get many moments of comfort from familiar surroundings and people who know my underside well. I will visit with my oldest and dearest friends. Some of whom will be meeting my children in person for the first time but who I have felt beside us through the most difficult times. They will look at my GiGi and say how pretty she is and how much she looks like me. I will try to say thank you but it will probably come out all slobbery or turn into a silly comment. I know they will get it. They always do.
We’ll break up the heavy stuff with talk of ancient history. Intruding little faces will demand our undivided attention to watch a stunt or settle an argument. We’ll comment on how crazy it is that we are the parents of these little people and we’re doing ok.