It’s that time of year again. Winter Break. We like it somewhat with our typical kids but with our special kids it’s all hands on. This break always falls during Paul’s Birthday. He is going to be the big “60.” This week Anna is off and Paul always has to have his birthday with Anna home all day. But not this year. The Warrior mom took the week off and packed it with fun. Lots of fun.
The first fun day was well spent with another fantastic Warrior mom whom I’ve known for several years. She is a great person to unite as warriors with and our kids get along well. Her son, Alan, has a diagnosis of autism and he enjoys walks and accompanies Anna and I at the Metro Park when we walk there. We walked most recently at the Henry Ford Museum, day one of winter break.
What a day. It was fun because we could go on a Monday. We were sharing the museum with many kids that also had the day off, “President’s Day.” It was great to see all the young kids mesmerized by looking at Alan and Anna. It is so sweet and innocent and sometimes quite hysterical to see their reactions. They look and see a bigger person in what looks like a bigger stroller. Anna is playing with a baby rattle and Alan loves to chew on his bandana that doubles as a sort of bib for him. They are interesting to look at. Neither of them look back with any purpose at the kids. They just still do what makes them happy, she rattles her ball and he holds his bandana. It’s nice to show off the differences and see the reactions of all the kids looking into our lives. It’s a show and tell without any planning.
We see the sweet moms guiding their kids, answering the questions. This usually comes after they give us a smile or nod that they see us too. Moms know moms. We know the trials. I sometimes see their typical little one pulling on their leg, demanding their attention, trying to get their needs met. I remember those days. They are trying days.
I think of the ease of Anna and Alan. NO, not at all times. But for the most part they are great museum goers who don’t plead for a toy in the gift shop, they don’t climb on museum exhibits, and they will look at any artifact a zillion times, they provide a sweet and perfect kind of companionship that only Warriors know. There is great love felt in their companionship.
Of course my friend, Sheila and I get our steps in and our talks in and we are able to enjoy these lovely days that Anna is out of school and we can connect. Alan has been out of school for a couple years now and it’s nice to see how lovely their life has settled in. I am not looking forward to Anna being out of school. I keep in mind all the other hurdles Anna unfolded to us and know we will handle the unfolding of no more school in just a few years. I see Shelia doing life nicely with her son home all the time and it makes it less worrisome.
Until then we will enjoy her breaks and keep adding fun to these days off. Next up this week is shopping, bowling, picking up our skates, a long drive to an amazing donut shop, long rests on the couch with mom, hours of music and companionship in the sewing room, and of course sleeping in each day during one of the coldest months of the year. This has been an enjoyable week and we’re only half through.
As I’ve said before I know lots of women who are Warriors and I appreciate every one of them. Mothering is tough and then we spark it up a hundred notches. If not for Anna I would know none of them. Just like that job you take and you meet the friend you connect with for years or forever. These women are incredible; and you are too as a reader of our lives.
Thank your for visiting my Blog and peeking into Anna’s life.
