Thursday, August 22, 2013

Words


Some of the things Soren can say with his iPad.

And his cool protective case 
(with some gnaw marks in the lower right, of course)

Eyes and Ears
Perhaps it's my friendship with Dick,
who watches and listens from his wheelchair
but cannot speak, has never spoken,
that makes me aware of the daily
unintrusive presences
of other mute watchers and listeners.
Not the household animals
with their quick bodies--they have cry
and gesture as a kind of language--
but rooted lives, like trees,
our speechless ancestors,
which line the streets and see me,
see all of us. But August
they're dark with memories of us.
And the flowers in the garden--
aren't they like our children were:
tulips and roses all ears,
asters wide-open eyes?
I don't think the sun bothers
 with us; it is too full
of its own radiance. But the moon,
that silent all-night cruiser,
wants to connect with us noisy breathers
and lets itself into the house
to keep us awake. The other day,
talking to someone else 
and forgetting Dick was in the room,
I suddenly heard him laugh.
What did I say, Dick? You're like the moon,
an archive of utterance not your own.
But when I walk over to you,
you turn into the sun,
on fire with some news
of your own life. Your fingers search
among the words inked on your board,
the few, poor, catchall words
you have, to let me glimpse
the white heat trapped inside you.

--Lisel Mueller, from Alive Together


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Summer, so far


Ah, summer. We're out of routine, not doing much therapy, not really eating well, and going to bed way too late, but we are having a blast.

These are a few of our favorite things:
  • Swimming in any lake, pool, river, or ocean. 
  • Sprinklers. The colder the better.
  • Popsicles
  • Hiking
  • Corn on the cob
  • Ice cream cones. Big ones.
  • Our cabin in La Conner, including a new swing set
  • Lots of free time with Daddy
  • Visits with grandparents and cousins
I think it's quite healthy to break the rules every so often and just have fun as a family. I'm calling this Summer Therapy. 



Friday, August 2, 2013

For when you need a blankie


Soren doesn't use a blankie or lovey. Never did. And I wish he did. Man, I'd love to be able to fix his hurts with such a simple object. And one that goes in the washer.

Right now, plenty of people in my life are hurting. The kind of hurt that words don't help. The kind that brings real physical pain--that pit in your stomach, those breaths that are stuck, incomplete, in your lungs. I wish there was something I could do, bring, say.

Today, I'd love your help. I want to create a list of thoughts, actions, or practices that can bring some relief from that deep, visceral pain that life brings. What has been a balm for you? We all could use a list of quick go-to steps to refer to in the darkest moments. It can only help to have a list of images that get us through until we have that therapist appointment or until morning comes--our adult version of a blankie to hold during the darkest of nights. These ideas don't fix the problem, but they can soothe us, if only for a little bit.

Here is my short list. Will you share some of your ideas in the comments?

1. Turn off the news. And maybe ignore Facebook.
2. Make something warm to drink.
3. Pet your dog.
4. Go outside and smell the air.
5. This thought: It has been bad before, and it has always gotten better.
6. If you can, take a walk.
7. This poem.
8. A glass of wine (oh, come on. I'm being real here. It can help. The sleep part, especially.)
9. The 23rd Psalm.
10. Think of one thing to look forward to. Even if it's just a latte in the morning or a hot shower.

Thank you.





 

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