As we prep for the second visit to the camp, already we've been blessed with several letters from Forest. Each one is a little more conversational. Each one reveals a little more about his feelings.
In an email from the camp, the camp director, Joe, tells me that Forest has injured his arm. It was horseplay, and he should be fine, they're applying linament to help ease the sprain.
Gratefully, my first reaction was "holy crap my baby's hurt!" You can't imagine how relieve I was to hear that voice in my head.
I've been nervous for a while now that I was going to just let go, not worry, and figure everything would be just fine. Take for granted the work that these men are doing to help my son - and maybe even forget about him a little more every day.
But God is smart.
I still run to the mail box and get excited when there's a letter from my son. His handwriting is so poor, you'd think he was a first grader. I shake my head and wonder if I didn't spend enough time helping him with his handwriting. It is SUCH a chore to get him to practice writing. He fights, he argues, he tells me that's what compuers are for. But I've saved each envelope, each letter, and I DO see progress. It's more legible each time he writes, and his letter formation is more precise.
These are the things I "never had patience" for. Sadly, it sems the school didn't either. A 13 year old that writes like a first grader is sad. I think back to when I was a child, my brother was 16 and I was 6 or 7, and I was teaching HIM how to read. His writing never improved much, and his signature always had a mixture of cursive and printed letters. The school didn't have time for him - even though he was in special ed. Mom didn't have time for him, so I was teaching him.
Now, my own son, also in special ed, is demonstrating the same tendencies.
The good news is, I was in a position to have SOMEONE take the time for him.
And I feel guilty. And I feel grateful. And I feel empowered that I'm doing the absolute best thing for all of us.
==========
Lisa and Forest are currently working on writing a book about this camp experience. This blog features bits and pieces of Lisa's perspective. Watch this blog for weekly updates, and sign up at http://www.TheRenaissanceMom.com to get notified when the book is released!



facebook
twitter
rss 

