My homeschool has 5 little homeschoolers in it. The oldest, my identical twins, Sean and Timothy, are turning 11 today. Sean and Tim are my special homeschoolers; they are both mentally retarded.
They were a fabulously full term pregnancy followed by a 24 hour delivery gone wrong that resulted in Sean (right) being head injured and suffering a TBI and Tim (left) being born second and breech, going without oxygen during delivery. I am thankful we all survived it, as Tim almost didn't. They have to work hard to do the things most take for granted. Their birthday used to make me sad, thinking what "could be", what they would be like, what our lives would be like, had things happened differently. I used to wonder about that all the time. I don't wonder about it anymore. It's called peace.
They are mine and I am theirs.
I love how on their birthday, they always check to see what the other one opened before going to the next present. I love how they never ever forget to say thank you...for even the smallest thing, and I love that they are always so happy to share in everything together...
So, you are now turning 11. You make my homeschool a magical place. You give it dragons and trains and knights to go with our princesses, and dolls and teaparties.
See that smile on my face? That's joy. The joy that only a Mother can know. Because I am your mother. I am yours and you are mine. We sometimes endure comments and attitudes from very unhappy people. We choose joy; because we know that they don't know any better and that we cannot do any better. So we are happy with who we are, what we have, what we can do. We are thankful.
So, Happy Birthday boys. We love you. You are 11. You work hard everyday. You are valued. You are loved. May your birthday wish come true.
It may be your birthday, but the gifts have been mine.
Love,
Mommy
what a beautiful post. . .
ReplyDeleteYou have discovered the secret. . .peace!
Thanks for sharing!
Katie, thank you so much for visiting my blog! I'm glad that I (finally) found your real one. This post brought tears to my eyes, because my almost 11 year old is developmentally delayed (brain damage in utero due to medication his bio mother was required to take) and your feelings are my feelings about my son too. I'm glad we connected! Happy birthday to your guys! Mine will be 11 the first week of August. :)
ReplyDeleteOh how sweet <3 You are one blessed Momma! Your boys are adorable guys. I'm glad you all had such a terrific birthday :D
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your guys! It looks like they thoroughly enjoyed the party!
ReplyDeleteThis one made me cry...
ReplyDelete"Happy and sad cry mixed" as our kiddos would say.
Love seeing your love and joy in your guys.
Heart aching for Heaven when all will be whole.
We have a bit of that in our crew as well.
Just wanted you to know that I loved this post.
Happy Birthday to the amazing 11 year olds!!!
:)
With love,
Kara @ The Chuppies/NOBH
What a lovely post! Sounds like your amazing sons are blessed with an amazing Mom!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a beautiful and touching post. My oldest (20) has Asperger's and I too have often battled the "what if's" many times.
ReplyDeleteGabe,Lisa and Paula...thank you so very much! They did have a happy birthday and I am glad the post touched your hearts!
ReplyDeleteDawn , Kara and Maureen, thank you! I think to spend time in the "what ifs" is such a futile expenditure of our energy. We have to just trust that what is, is what is and that it is that way for a reason and that it all has purpose. I have learned to love my life as it is (its great) and learned to love my boys just as they are (loveable amazing little people). To wish they were different would mean i was too busy to realize the gifts we have daily. Thanks for stopping by. We are all in this together!
ReplyDeleteSoubrette, thanks for the kind words and spending time with me here at brighton park!
What a beautiful post. You have a wonderful family and you have found the true meaning of love and joy! Thanks for posting this again, I missed it the first time.
ReplyDeleteglosews
Beautiful post and beautiful family, Katie! I love your statement "It may be your birthday, but the gifts have been mine."
ReplyDeleteKatie, your peace is a beautiful thing!! I am so thankful for your boys, too. I just love them and their sincere hearts...I can see it in their eyes! May the Lord bless them and your whole family as He molds you all for His glory!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! As a mother of a special needs child, I relate to so much of what you have to say here. That moment of moving past the thoughts of 'what if' to embracing the beauty of 'what is', sometimes this is not so easy, is heartwarming to see it so beautifully done here!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. Your boys sound so sweet. Wishing them a very happy new birthday year!! You sound like such a loving and wonderful mom!
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful post. I love that they look at what their brother opened before moving on to the next gift. That is very sweet. They are adorable.
ReplyDelete