I glance at his cubby on top is a handwritten on white
cardstock paper, “Alex’s siblings welcome.” Confused? I wonder which of Alex’s
nine therapists has left this cryptic message. What does it mean? I turn over
the card, a big cute red fire truck announces Jeffrey’s third birthday. The
tears just rolled out of my eyes as if someone has captured my heart. This is
Alex’s first school friend birthday party invitation. I jet down the school
hallway, waving the invite. Look! I tell
the incredibly kind director, Karyn, Alex is invited. Alex is downstairs at the
playground. I tell more teachers and my heart leaps again.
Playground was a
foreign word before we had three wonderful PCA (Personal Care Assistants) Meg,
Amanda and Katie for Alex. These amazing beings help position and grow Alex in
ways that we cannot thank them. Meg, Katie and Amanda help allow Alex to be
fully included in his school. They make sure he participates, learns, plays and
has fun alongside his friends. Meg, Katie and Amanda “Teachers touch tomorrow
for Alex with today.” We are lucky to have these powerful women helping Alex.
The beautiful seventy degree March eighth day makes me
smile. I glide on cloud nine as I chat with Alex’s teachers, Miss Jacque and
Miss Michelle, at the playground. Alex’s teachers are angels. They teach and
help Alex every day. Miss Michelle and Miss Jacque treat Alex as if he were
like any other child in their class. They never blink at having to remember an
orthotic schedule or a routine a therapist recommends. Alex loves each one as
if they were a part of our family. Extraordinary, gifted people. We are blessed
to have them in our lives.
I hold the invitation up, look! Jeffrey’s third birthday. I
phone my husband to tell him the wonderful news. I phone my sister, my
Mother-in-law, some friends. I remembered to call and RSVP, I think I was even
teary RSVPing.
The fire truck party at the firehouse was fun! We learned
about a ten thousand dollar camera that helps find people through fire. The camera
can detect a heat source . Alex and I got to play with some of his friends from
school at the firehouse. We climbed in to a real truck and Hoda another
beautiful Mom with a gorgeous spirit snaps our photo on the truck and again
when Alex gets to fire the real hose. Hoda tells me that Sadeen’s birthday will
be in a few weeks. My heart dances again. Acceptance, friendship and loved.
Alex is a part of his school in the way we had always hoped and prayed he would
be. Included and a part, not separate and different. Similar and loved as any
friend.
The fire hose was a blast and the party was awesome. Alex
loved each bite of the adorable red fire truck cake that Jeffrey’s Mom, Shannon,
lovingly baked from a YouTube recipe! Shannon and her lovely family even lent
their baby’s seat to Alex so he could eat along with his friends. Alex is still
working on sitting. We had a fabulous time.
The other day, Shannon and I were walking in together to
school. I thanked her for the fun party and for having us. Shannon just smiled
and said that Jeffrey was happy to have all of his friends there.
Sincerely,
As A Guest
in the Stork’s Nest~
Mama Nancy
Artwork by
Michael Shwartz
