When you Wish Upon A Star

Dreams do come true!

A couple of months ago, I did some research into how a child is granted a wish through the Make -A-Wish Foundation. In Massachusetts, I found out that either the parent/legal guardian, the physician, or the child itself can nominate a worthy child. So being a bit inquisitive, I nominated Tyler. Now this nomination process was simply me sending them my contact information.

Well roughly a week later, I was contacted to provide more information on Tyler, including medical diagnosis. So I promptly replied with all the appropriate information. The next day I received a phone call asking for Tyler’s doctor’s information as based on the information I provided they were going to proceed. I was jumping out of my skin giving them the information but didn’t really want to get too excited as I still wasn’t sure of the whole “process.” This was a Wednesday I gave them the information.

On a Monday, in late June, I received a phone call at work first thing in the morning letting me know based on Tyler’s doctor’s information that he was eligible to be granted a wish. Well you can bet I burst into tears at my desk. My manager came over to say good morning only to fins me wiping tears from my eyes. After I explained what they were for, she too had tears in her eyes. This just seemed so surreal. You hear stories every day about children being granted wishes from Make-A-Wish but for it to be our family. HOLY COW!!!

So we had more papers to fill out and forms to sign. The morning of July 24th, the day we would be leaving for our week vacation, we had a wonderful volunteer come to our door, gift in hand for Tyler, to come meet him and find out what his wish was going to be. So Tony and I filled out all the appropriate paper work and we told her what his wish was. Now keep in mind that July 24th was a Saturday.

On July 26th, I had gone up to the cottage to get something and noticed my cell phone was beeping as if I had a voice message. Mind you we have next to nothing for cell reception, and I was with my family, so I couldn’t imagine why I would have a message. So I listened and immediately again burst into tears. It was our volunteer saying Tyler’s wish was approved and he was being granted his wish. She was so excited for us that she hand delivered our paperwork and they approved his wish on site!!! Well let me tell you, that was the best news to receive on vacation.

So I know you are all dying to know what the wish is right? Well it’s not a trip, as that really wouldn’t have any meaning for him. It’s not meeting a celebrity, even though Tony insisted that Tyler wanted to meet some of the Red Sox players, as again, this just wouldn’t have any meaning for him. Instead, Tyler wished to have…….drumroll please………………………………………………..

 

That’s right, a pool! We knew this would serve him well for many years to come. He receives physical therapy all of 1 hour a week for 5 weeks over the summer. We knew this would help in keeping him cool and hopefully keep those pesky seizures at bay on the hot hot days. And we knew this would be such a great social thing for him to have so his typically developing friends can come over and play and not be bored with his non age appropriate toys.

As you can imagine, tears were POURING down my face when I took this picture. The pool was installed last Friday. It finished filling with water on Saturday afternoon, and it has rained every day since! The sun is supposed to be out this weekend and the warm summer temperatures are also supposed to return. Check back as we hope to have some in the pool shots to share! Until then, continue to make wishes…..

3 Weeks

~ 3 weeks from today my baby starts 1st grade.

~ 3 weeks from today my baby will be going to school full day.

~ 3 weeks from today I will be home alone all day 2 days out of the week.

~ 3 weeks from today I no longer have a baby but a big boy.

How did this happen?? Where has the time gone??? It seems like just yesterday we were getting him ready to go to preschool. And now, 1st grade! Granted it’s not traditional 1st grade but the fact that he will be gone from 8:30 – 3 has my head spinning. I have been away from him for that long since I work every day. But 2 days a week I get to spend from 11:30AM on with him. I am going to need to find things to fill those empty hours.

I hear so many of my friends who have typical children be so excited that their children are gone and that they have time alone. They talk about always wanting to get rid of them as the kids “drive them crazy”. They talk about longing for school and after school activities to start. This has me always cringing. They should be enjoying every second possible with their kids! But I regress.

Over the next 3 weeks, I vow to devote as much attention to Tyler as I can. I will enjoy every second I have with him. And while he drives me crazy sometimes too with his behaviors, I vow to take a deep breath and count to 10 before getting upset. I have only 3 weeks to play outside in the afternoon on the swings. I have only 3 weeks to play ball in the afternoon. I have only 3 weeks to prepare 2 lunches. I have only 3 weeks to enjoy nap time together. I have only 3 weeks to make more wonderful memories with my little man.

There is another side of me that is looking forward for 3 week from today for:

~ the house can now get thoroughly cleaned.

~ boxes, from 5 years ago when we moved in, can get unpacked

~ my craft area can get organized

~ I can dedicate time to my photo greeting cards

~ I can dedicate time to my Longaberger business

~ I can take time to work out

~ I can take time to work in the garden

~ I can bake

~ I can create healthy, delicious meals for the week

~ I can sit and read my books.

3 weeks from today, life is going to change…..for the better.

Back to reality…

Last week was our yearly family vacation. Every July, the 3 of us, my parents, my brother and his girlfriend all head to New Hampshire where we rent a cottage right on Lake Winnipesaukee. To sum up our week:

great food….family overload…fabulous shopping…lots of wildlife…fabulous wine…gorgeous weather…seizures…lots of swimming…breathtaking views…lost wallet…relaxing walks…quality time with Tony…lots of laughs…found wallet…no internet…finished a book…no cell phone…quality time with Tyler…perfect

But you be the judge…this is the view from the room Tony and I stay in. We got to see this every morning…