on my serious side... (a guest post from kolleen harrison)
while we are soaking up the wonder of a newborn in the house, a few of my blogging friends are sharing some guests posts...enjoy today's personal story from kolleen harrison.
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kolleen and her son chandler
last weekend i woke up early, piled 3 of my 4 kids into the car and drove over to the beach for the weekend. my hubby was already there since he had a meeting the day prior.
as i was driving...i kept looking in my rear view mirror checking on my kids (as a mom tends to do, i think! right moms?).
each time i would do this, my sweet Chandler would be
smiling to himself,
talking a bit to himself,
laughing a little.
it made me stop and think...
i realize the fact that he has autism would seem like a curse to many.
and trust me at times it can be VERY difficult.
but that day.
that particular day,
as i was driving and watching him i had to stop and ask myself this...
for a second i wondered...
maybe the "non- awareness" actually is a blessing...
maybe the not knowing the evils and sadness that are in our world can be a good thing??"
i don't know...
i know Chandler has many struggles but quite honestly he doesn't really know that.
i know by society's standards "he is different"...but quite honestly he doesn't really know that either.
what i feel he does know is this...
he is very loved by his family,
his dad is his constant and sometimes he wishes i would have a baby (and it would be a boy) so he wouldn't be so outnumbered! (LOTS of women in this household!!!)
i am certainly not trying to "make light" of the fact that this precious boy was diagnosed at age 2 1/2 with autism...
i am simply trying to find the blessing in it...the positive.
thank you for listening...
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kolleen harrison is a mama to 4 crazy kiddlies and wife to one prince charming.
she loves paint on her fingers, music up loud, creating little pieces that emphasize optimism and positivity and in turn will make your heart smile!
visit her at http://www.heartwingsisters.blogspot.com
a guest
Reader Comments (9)
having been a teacher of exceptional children for 28 years, i must say your attitude is remarkably refreshing, soulfully true, and amazingly insightful. in my humble opinion it needs to be published...somewhere...for all parents to read. and i use the word exceptional not disparagingly at all, but as a fact...they truly are, each in his/her own way, exceptional. what a wonderfully open message here. thank you.
"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it." - Confucius
thanks for sharing, kolleen. your insight is beautiful. your heart and soul are always fully engaged in everyone and everything. chandler is exactly who and where he needs to be. thank you so much for the reminder to notice and find the positive.
I knew it would be both inspiring and heartfelt! Chandler is a gift, all children are, just sometimes we need to adjust our view to see their uniqueness! Your view is amazing and profound! I think you saw his soul that day and it reminded you of how we all have gifts to bring to the table! People forget that, when a child has an illness, handicap or disease, etc. What
a gracious Mom you are!!!
This brought tears to my eyes. So perfectly and beautifully said, Ms. Kolleen, sweet friend of mine! Chandler is so very lucky to have you in his life!!
dearest kolleen,
i'm loving getting to know you more nearly & dearly here...about your dear chandler.
big love to you in the hard work of parenting & deep sunshine to you in the light of your love for him & your family.
your heart & face & words & faith & tremendously loving arms are something to celebrate & adore.
xoxox
thank you so much everyone for your love and support!
means the world to me!!
thank you sweet mama liz for letting me guest post on your lovely blog!!!
xoxoxo
love
k
dearest of all dears in my life...
i truly believe that you were hand picked to be sweet chandlers mama. it takes an incredibly special person with a BIG heart and a willingness to keep digging even when the ground gets hard. i admire you kolleen for the love you give to chandler and to all 4 of your babies. they are blessed beyond measure and i have no doubt there is an angel nearby who loves that boy too and is giving you wings to help carry him.
i loved the SURPRISE of seeing you here.
in all admiration.
chrissy
p.s. loves to you liz.
As always, it is lovely to read more about your life, and to learn more about Chandler. He sounds exceptional and special - and I am glad he lives in a household so full of love.
Kolleen ~ It was so nice to see you hear. Having no children I cannot imagine what it must be like to be a mom. But after meeting you and seeing the love you have in your eyes for these children, the happiness in your voice when you speak about them, and the love that I see you show them I can only hope that one day I can be half a good a mother as you are to your children. I admire how you have taken them all under your wing loving each of them and supporting them as you do. You are an incredible mother. And you can guarentee that when my day eventually comes that I will picking up the phone and calling you for advice. I adore you
Liz~ Sending you loving thoughts, Thinking of you soaking in all the newness that comes with being a mother for the very first time. Love to you and your new family.