Yesterday, Tricia called and invited us to the park.
Today, Charly called and asked if she could drop by. We were game. She has a daughter a couple of years older than Arielle, a son Zander's age, and a toddler Stacia's age. We were excited at how well Mick and Zander played. A year ago Charly and I were both searching for answers for our little ones. They are both on the spectrum....our answer has been a lot of diet and behavioral work. Charly and Mike began there and then have had a lot of tests etc....anyway.....all that to say that we had a delightful day visiting...and watching our children PLAY...TOGETHER for the most part. I think you would have had to walk a bit of our path to know how incredibly special that is....and how wonderful to have a friend who understands if your child does something "atypical" or downright off the wall. ::snort:: I'm going to miss Charly and her family when they move this summer. There are times I dislike the military lifestyle very much. This lifestyle has taught me to make the most of potential friendships. We don't have years to let friendships slowly grow.....but it also makes us a bit "off putting" to those who live in an area for a long time. They don't always want to invest in relationships with friends who are sure to move....or understand why we jump so totally and almost aggressively into relationships....
Here's the secret. We have to. If we don't, we won't ever have friends....and if we wait we may move....or if we're all military...they may move. ::snort::
I'm thrilled to have FRIENDS this year....we are establishing some nice roots in our new location. It took longer than it has in past moves, and I thank those of you who prayed and believed that eventually we'd feel at "home" in our new "home".
9 comments:
De'Etta,
As a mom of more than one *special needs* child, I can understand how edifying it is to have a friend who *gets* your child. So glad you two moms and especially the children were able to spend time playing together. :)
It took us a while to fit into our new home. Most people have lived here all their lives and don't understand the military mentality of making friends quickly. Now that we've been here a while we've made lifelong friends. It does take some getting used to. I'm so glad you've been able to make friends in your new hometown.
How awesome to have such a "good" play day for all!
Feeling your happiness over Zander's good playtime. I think tha's some of what I felt when I attended the co-op specal needs class. They got it and live it and it's just good to have people who understand. I was freaking out over something my youngest had done, has some sensory issues going on lately and worrying out loud "will we have as much trouble with other kids at the lake, playground and noisy places as Trevor did at that age". They didn't get it and it's just too hard to explain to someone who hasn't lived the same things.
I'm so glad you have a friend who understands and that Zander has his friend!
Michelle and Jodi - you understand! LOL I'm sad that they are moving in June - but we'll get together as much as we can in the meantime.
Yes....Mick let loose with a scream and it didn't bug me; Zander let loose with well....sort of an attitude thing...and it didn't bother her....We KNOW what each deals with and KNOW that this is vast improvement.
Wow - Mick is incredibly SMART....Zander's current fixation is Bugs Bunny....and so we are dealing with some inappropriate actions...Mick seems to fixate on math and reading...both 5. LOL
AND Zander KEPT HIS CLOTHES ON ALL DAY! ::snort:: But Charly would have taken it in stride and not freaked out if he hadn't of. LOL
So glad you are able to make friends so quickly... sadly, I'm probably one of those that doesn't.... I need to be more mindful of that in the future.
What a great day for Zander and his friend and for the mommas. It is hard when your child doesn't quite fit, even if they don't have all those letters attached. It is such a wonderful feeling to have people accept your child for who they are.
De'Etta - speaking from a non military family (with extended family in the military) I have seen my children go through sadness of having friends move away. We live near an Army and Air Force base. This past year some good, good friends (with three boys) moved away. It was hard on all of my boys. At one point, my oldest made some comments about not wanting to have any more military friends, that it was too sad.
I could totally understand! My sil had a nice talk with him about the importance of reaching out to military folks and the richness you can add to your friendship. Of course, my dh is an Army brat so he also gave everyone a pep talk on the subject.
Interesting how God brings special people into our lives and sometimes lets them move on.
Oh - I understand why folks are slow to become best buddies with military folks...I just think it is sad...and not altogether "right" in the Body of Christ. As you said, Kathy, there is a RICHNESS we gain from getting to know each other...it's sad to think of all the ministry opportunities, rich relationships etc some miss because of a fear to say goodbye. I HATE goodbyes...but I try not to let it keep me from forming relationships.
Moving - I see it now as God soverignly moving His body/servants/missionaries into spots where they will do the MOST good - it doesn't always seems clear WHY we move when and where we move....but God does orchestrate. LOL
Sis:
PTL for friendship advancements. PTL for Alexander and his friend. I love my job and one of the reasons is the kids have so many needs and it is totally awesome when you see lights turn on in their eyes and see them making good strides. Love the excitement of these special needs kids.
l/p
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