January 19, 2005 11:04 AM
Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems like we waited forever this year.
Two years ago, when we moved to Virginia from California, people said it didn't snow much here anymore. My kids were disappointed, as part of the bait I used to get them psyched up about the Big Move was that they would finally see snow.
And in spite of all the dire no-snow forecasts, we saw snow-a-plenty. Something like fourteen days off school that winter -- snow on snow on snow -- until a neighbor finally emailed me, "Tell those Curtis kids to stop praying for snow. Some of us have had enough!"
And then something that makes me smile whenever I think of snow -- I discovered that Jonny, my wonderful 12 year old son with Down syndrome, had translated our scouring the on line weather report for snow icons into his own simple scheme of things. It was when he started pointing to the snow icons, and pleading, "I wan tha one! Pease, Mommy, pease? I have tha one?" that I realized after watching me order stuff on line he naturally assumed I could order the weather.
Jonny has the sweet, tender, and pure heart of a little child -- who finds only delight in the world and no irony. I just love that God put him in my life as a reminder to stop every once in a while and take off my jaded blinders.
Emily Dickinson wrote, "The soul should always stand ajar, waiting for the ecstatic experience."
I know, deep in my heart, that the challenge and drudgery of everyday life with kids is worth it. I'm a different person because they take me out of myself. And then, every once in a while -- like seeing a shooting star -- I catch that ecstatic experience, like my simple and simply beautiful son believing his mom can cause the snow to fall.
Posted in Down syndrome, Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Hey - I've enjoyed reading through your blog. I lived in Leesburg, VA for three years while working for HSLDA. Now I live in No. California. I really miss Virginia and would love to go back someday. I also miss the snow - it's so wonderful . . . and beautiful.
God bless you,
Amy
Posted by: Amy | January 19, 2005 7:56 PM
How beautiful! I also have a child with Down Syndrome and can relate. I love reading about your children, you are an inspiration.
Lori
Posted by: Lori Rosselit | January 20, 2005 7:52 AM
What a lovely observation!
Posted by: Melodee | January 21, 2005 1:20 AM
