Thursday, July 4, 2013

July 4th

Happy 4th of July! And a belated Happy Canada Day to my Friends up north.


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I'm digging deep into my Yoda quotes for tonight. 


You must unlearn what you have learned.


It's one I find myself using when I get sad on the Holidays. After the first loud one, the boys wanted nothing to do with fireworks or sparklers. Greyson preferred to watch from the inside. And I was sad, because it's not how I pictured it in my mind. So I am learning to unlearn things I had expected in order to focus on what is. 

Independence Day. The word Independent means not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc. Autonomous; free. 

Sometimes I think in order to truly be free, we have to step away from the thoughts in our own mind that hold us back. Let go of guilt, sadness, pain, worry, and expectations of how we thought it would look.


Tonight I am featuring a vintage post of Life with Grey, picked because it has a beautiful rendition of the song Firework. Click HERE to read.

Have a great weekend.


Love,

Chrissy


Life with Greyson + Parker on Facebook


6 comments:

  1. I spent my 4th of July driving across three states away from a relationship that I thought could last a lifetime. But it turned out to be yet another that I couldn't hold together. I spent all of a very restless night and all of this morning as I packed being so sad and angry, angry at myself, because I'm not the 36 year old that I thought I would be, and my life doesn't look like the ones around me. Almost as soon as I hit the road I got a message from my best friend, "Today is independence day. These minutes right now start the rest of your story. You're Thelma and Louise-ing this bitch right now without a Louise. You're totally doing this. I love you." And now I've stopped for the night on my way back to the home I left nearly seven years ago and this post is the first thing I read. I hope you know what a difference you make. Thank you for reaching out to countless strangers, just because you seem to understand that we all need each other. Happy Independence Day <3

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  2. My son returned from war one year ago, a combat veteran with injuries and PTSD. Yesterday, the day of our nations' Independence, of all days, his girlfriend cheated on him. He is devastated beyond all belief. I plan to show him your blog with the reminder, that we all have something difficult in our lives to deal with, live with etc. Blessings for sharing your life.

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  3. Your boys may be ' different' but they are a Blessing. Since I atarted following your blog, I have come to regard Greyson and Parker as very special children. I can't honesly predict what lies ahead, but I know that at least one of your boys will have a profound effect in this world. Please I'm not a'nutter' but I can sometimes see what will happen. Your boys were sent to you for a special purpose...and by the way, Parker's haircut is fine! Blessings

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  4. I love reading your blog and have done so from beginning to end. I feel like I know your boys! Question-is their diagnosis the same? Do they exhibit the same symptoms/behaviors? As someone who doesn't have much experience with autism (but who is becoming much more educated through your blog), I am very curious. Thanks again for letting us into your life and raising awareness!

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  5. I'm waiting for the time I can read your blog without tears. They are not based in sadness but rather the realization that you have a special gift for putting into beautiful words to the feelings, hopes and even fears many of us seem to share. I take strength from the community you are building and renewed energy to change the world for my boys and for all of our children. Thank you!

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  6. Hey super momma! Don't be sad about the firework thing for sure. My daughter is 9 (typical...if there is such a definition) and was scared of fireworks until she was about 6 or 7. We'd have to sit inside and watch from her bedroom windown while all the other kids in our court would have a fun firework display in front of our house. I tried everything to get her to go outside. I don't think for your beautiful boys that is related to the Autism necessarily at all. My son (8)who has PDD-NOS and diagnosed at 16 months was really never afraid of them, but never has been "into" them, which used to make me sad too. However, there are other things he loves (roller coasters, water slides etc.) that my daughter really doesn't like. So, sometimes, it is the "super powers" that are way more fun! I think on this journey, I have learned that things change. Things my son used to do that looked "odd" he no longer does, but then he will pick up new odd things. He goes thru phases. I think one of the best things we've ever done is gone into his class room, explained Autism (as best we could to first graders) and then allowed them to ask any question(s) they wanted to about our son Brady. Anything goes. I was amazed! They had the best questions! It was so invigorating. It allowed them to be themselves and find out more about their classmate and why he is special, why he does "odd" or "different" things. We were able to explain to them why he sometimes hums (its like not being about to get a song out of your head)...It was wonderful to hear back from the parents of the kids in the class about how their kids came home and talked about our visit. I encourage all parents with kids on the spectrum to do the same if the school will allow it. Even the teachers were a little teary eyed and commented about how awesome it was! Keep your chin up! It does get better!!! I promise! Still have sad moments for sure. But then I think "If God allowed me to throw back the cards I've been dealt for my life, and re draw new cards (knowing many people in this world are starving, impoverished, dealing with harder life struggles) would I? Would I take that chance?" And, my answers is always "NO!! Not for all the money in the world". I've come to realize (and this helps me)...Everyone has their "something". This is mine! Hugs to you Chrissy!
    ~ Shelly

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