Re: Mom on a Mission article April 2007

[Guest guest]

again so great another one saved by me for a one day when i feel i need to

read ur words of widsome

>

> Michele, what a great article, you are a terrific writer.

>

> On a different note, but funny.

> We went out to dinner the other night, 1 yr ago could not pick

> something up or even be to interested in things to play with. Anyway, she

> picked up a plate, looked at me, and dropped it on the floor, it broke, it

> shattered, she laughed. I thought this was an accomplishment!

> Keep up the great writing

> Cathie, mom to

>

> Mom on a Mission article April 2007

>

> Just sharing my latest column ---

>

> Michele W

>

> Mom on a Mission: " Are You Talking to Me? "

>

> " Mom! " " Mom? " " Ma! " My preschooler hollered from the backseat the entire

> four-hour drive to Grandma's. When I answered, " What, Honey? " it turned

> out

> he had nothing to say. I remember thinking, " Who taught this child to

> talk?

> And who told him my name?? "

>

> As a kid, I remember my mom's exasperated claims that she would change her

> name and run away if we kept badgering her. Suddenly, I understood.

>

> Fast forward five years to another trip to Grandma's. This time, we have

> two children. My son is now 9 or 10; his sister is maybe 3 or 4. She

> complains, " Andwooz bodderin me! " My husband and I exchange a silent cheer

> for the accomplishment of this child who can argue with her brother. When

> she was born, we didn't know if she would see, hear, walk, or speak. We

> certainly didn't allow ourselves to wish for sibling rivalry in all its

> splendor. Now she too talks so much that we sometimes wonder why we

> worried

> and when she'll give us a moment of silence.

>

> For both our kids, we rejoiced in their babbles, rhymes, and songs on the

> way to real communication. With our son, it was the wonderment of watching

> our first child's personality and speech unfold. For our daughter, it was

> extra wonderment as some of our fears were put to rest.

>

> We so longed for their first amazing words. Those first words eventually

> led to the annoying, pestering monologues of childish needs, imaginings,

> and

> demands. At times, our wonderment and joy became irritation and

> exasperation. How quickly a gift can become a burden in our minds when we

> are tired, stressed, or busy.

>

> Fast forward again five years. Now our teen, at age 15, doesn't want to

> talk to us. Again we long for words. Any words. Tell us your feelings,

> your imaginings, your desires. We linger on his every syllable just as we

> did on his every infant babble. Suddenly, what had been a burden again

> becomes the greatest gift on our wish list.

>

> Michele Westmaas is a mom, a wife, and an advocate for people with

> disabilities.

>

> Contact Michele by email at

momonamission@....

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm so there with you...

>

> Just sharing my latest column ---

>

> Michele W

>

> Mom on a Mission: " Are You Talking to Me? "

>

> " Mom! " " Mom? " " Ma! " My preschooler hollered from the backseat the entire

> four-hour drive to Grandma's. When I answered, " What, Honey? " it turned

> out

> he had nothing to say. I remember thinking, " Who taught this child to

> talk?

> And who told him my name?? "

>

> As a kid, I remember my mom's exasperated claims that she would change her

> name and run away if we kept badgering her. Suddenly, I understood.

>

> Fast forward five years to another trip to Grandma's. This time, we have

> two children. My son is now 9 or 10; his sister is maybe 3 or 4. She

> complains, " Andwooz bodderin me! " My husband and I exchange a silent cheer

> for the accomplishment of this child who can argue with her brother. When

> she was born, we didn't know if she would see, hear, walk, or speak. We

> certainly didn't allow ourselves to wish for sibling rivalry in all its

> splendor. Now she too talks so much that we sometimes wonder why we

> worried

> and when she'll give us a moment of silence.

>

> For both our kids, we rejoiced in their babbles, rhymes, and songs on the

> way to real communication. With our son, it was the wonderment of watching

> our first child's personality and speech unfold. For our daughter, it was

> extra wonderment as some of our fears were put to rest.

>

> We so longed for their first amazing words. Those first words eventually

> led to the annoying, pestering monologues of childish needs, imaginings,

> and

> demands. At times, our wonderment and joy became irritation and

> exasperation. How quickly a gift can become a burden in our minds when we

> are tired, stressed, or busy.

>

> Fast forward again five years. Now our teen, at age 15, doesn't want to

> talk to us. Again we long for words. Any words. Tell us your feelings,

> your imaginings, your desires. We linger on his every syllable just as we

> did on his every infant babble. Suddenly, what had been a burden again

> becomes the greatest gift on our wish list.

>

> Michele Westmaas is a mom, a wife, and an advocate for people with

> disabilities.

>

> Contact Michele by email at

momonamission@....

>

>

>