Unraveling
So, I wrote this whole post about mothers and animals and the zoo…and then it fell apart. It went from a really great idea to shambles in a few short paragraphs.
I think that’s an apt metaphor for life right now.
We had a great weekend! We went to Tampa to see my nieces play soccer. They are growing and changing so fast…moving from baby to young girl (breaking Auntie’s heart in the process—who said they can grow up?). The girls played and swam and giggled their little hearts out.
Mother’s Day—
I have so many different emotions regarding Mother’s Day. Emotions that are hard to put in to words. The husbands got up at O’Dark Thirty to go fishing.
Somewhere around the time the sun thought about rising, I opened my eyes to see Niece B hovering over my face. She informed me to stay in bed or at least not go downstairs. I agreed.
I then met Ronca in the hall to eavesdrop. We couldn’t hear much, but we smelled toast.
Toast…good. They can’t burn the house down, right?
Wait! Wait! Suddenly, we were really awake. There were three little girls cooking in the kitchen—ages 10, 9, and 6. HOLY MOLY!
As we stood there giggling, we smelled something else…EGGS!
Eggs? Eggs require cooking. Ronca has a gas stove. We were fairly sure the house was about to implode.
Footsteps…we scatter…Niece D informs us that we need to have a seat in the playroom so we can be treated to our fancy schmancy breakfast.
As we are oohing and aahing over our Gourmet Meal Fit for a Queen, I asked J how they made the eggs without using the stove.
Niece B explains that it was easy—they used the microwave (OF COURSE! The microwave!)
I asked how they knew what to do…
J says, “I Googled it!”
So that was the height of joy (and OK, Ronca and I laughed until tears rolled). Those girls were so proud that they did something for their mommies for Mother’s Day. They were absolutely unashamedly glowing.
(We must be doing something right, right?)
However, there’s another part of me that aches.
On Friday, we got Jack’s wheels.
We arrived at the store and helped unpack the boxes containing these little tiny wheelchairs. We got to choose which one we wanted…we lifted, sat on, pushed, pulled, and test drove a bunch. We filled out paperwork, and talked about the warranty. We finally settled on our choice, and left the store.
It was then that it hit us.


How bittersweet. Glad you got the wheels, but that's a hard moment, I imagine.
And, OMG, that breakfast looks delicious. They did such a good job!!
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Well…you're still alive, so I guess the eggs turned out okay.
I'm glad you finally got the wheelchair. I'm sure that was hard…but oh, the fun you'll have…
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What a wonderful breakfast! Those girls crack me up!!!
That's so tough about the wheelchair… Sorry it was such a good, and yet hard, weekend!
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Oh Heather. . .what a day – joy, joy, joy for the delightful breakfast (and the house not imploding) and the creativeness of Janson googling how to microwave eggs. . . and sad reality of the little wheelchair. . . Jack and Janson are the lucky ones, having you for a mom. . .you're one of the best ever!!! Hugs and hope, Diane
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All the modern little girls google…so cute!
Wheels mean more mobility, he'll like that!
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Out of the mouths of babes, right? Oh, sweetie, what a rollercoaster of a day. I'm so sorry. It's good you got what you need for Jack, but reality after such a whimsically beautiful morning had to be very difficult. Many hugs to you.
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How sweet of the girls to make you that special breakfast, the eggs look like a heart !
Wheels, bittersweet isn't it. This could be a good thing too. But I also know the emotional impact it may have on you. (((HUGS)))
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Thanks for sharing this post Heather. And, yes, we would love to come for a play date anytime!
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The breakfast look s fantastic!! How clever the girls are and so so sweet!! And I can imagine every step in Jack's growth is going to be difficult…you have my support and thoughts. Fran
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So bittersweet. I'm so glad you got to have such a joyful morning to offset the difficulty of picking up Jack's wheels.
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Little tiny wheelchairs. I don't know whether to cry or… cry.
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These little ones keep testing us! Sending love and light your way! Wheels can also be independence for him and for you!
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Wow, that breakfast looks good and how cool that they Googled it! Wheels are a good thing if it means Jack can get around more, right? Hugs to you all xx
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How inventive…..microwave cooked eggs. Too cute! Little wheels…..I can't even begin to imagine the emotions that arrived along with it. Sending you love and prayer.
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I loved the breakfast story! How inventive of them to Google it and the food looked great. I'm sorry to hear about the little wheels. Working in the field of special education (I worked in B-3 early intervention for many years) I still have never gotten over the feeling of seeing such little equiptment for such little ones. It is a sad feeling, but if it helps them gain independence/keeps them from hurting then god bless the makers of that stuff.
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Oh, dear heart.
J's already LEAPS and BOUNDS ahead of at least half the population since she's acquainted with Google!
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Your breakfast looks delicious! What clever girls to use the microwave!
Lots of hugs for you and Jack right now.
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I'm glad to hear you had a great day! Yes, Sebi clearly owes you a necklace for going fishing on Mother's Day! You should go shopping on Father's Day! Hugs and love because i know how much that wheel chair rocks and sucks simultaneously. Good for Jack, though and in the end, that is what matters. I bet he'll enjoy being more independent even though it means what it does.
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Oh my gosh that story is so unbelievably cute! I LOVE the picture. How very, very sweet. I love it.
I hope Jack's new chair gives him a great sense of freedom and accomplishment. I know it must be so hard for you. You are such a wonderful mother, and I am so glad Jack has such an incredible woman who loves him the way you do. You are amazing.
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How sweet! What a darling story! So glad that Jack got his wheels, but I know it is a hard moment/time. Thinking about you. ((HUGS))
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Thank Heaven for little girls….mine are to young to cook on their own, but they did help daddy make a delectable breakfast.
I remember all to clearly when Ethan's first wheelchair arrived….it was when it finally sunk in to Terry that our little boy REALLY WAS forever changed by the events surrounding his birth and that he would probably never walk and he would be under our care for as long as he lived….he broke down. It was hard. but eventually he came to terms with it enough to start functioning again.
It was an entirely different feeling when Ethan's first power chair arrived just over a month ago….incredibly empowering to give our son even that little bit of independence!
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GREAT Mother's Day story!
Want to see photos of the wheelchair. A wheelchair does not mean never walk. It can be an incredible tool to open up his world and make life easier for his parents.
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