The other day we joined a bunch of other homeschoolers for a Basic First Aid Class. During the first class break, as I spoke with the class facilitator for a few moments, the children ran off with friends.
A few minutes later, when I joined them, they were doing this:
They had found a huge, old tire which was far more interesting to them at that moment than the more obvious playground equipment and climbing trees were. It had sparked their imagination and curiosity and, with no adult prompting, they had taken it upon themselves to give each other turns rolling inside the tire across a field.
Seeing my Luke inside that tire with a smile on his face seemed so fitting to me as another mom made her way over to ask me about Sensory Processing Disorder, related issues, and the steps our family has taken to, first, seek diagnosis and formal therapies and, then, to realize that we've got things covered on our own. We could stop the dx road and all the formal therapies. God's good grace, practical applications of research we had done and acceptance that our son was created the way he is for a purpose made that clear to us. We realize our road no longer needed to be through labels and recommended treatments, but through embracing our boy for who he is and focusing on approaches that allow him be the best him he can be without attempting to "fix" him or make him like anyone else.
In fact, it was an absolute delight for me to look a Luke taking turns, laughing through the heavy work of pushing the tire and delighting in the vestibular and proprioceptive input of hanging inside the tire as I recounted for the other mom how challenging any playground dates and vestibular stimulation used to be for him and how much time I used to spend at seeing specialists. Wow! We have come so far and become so free.
That is how we roll...
Equally delightful was seeing Nina's tooth-gap grin as she partook in the merriment.
Our newly seven year old lost her first tooth just days before her birthday. The next morning, instead of diving under her pillow to see what might be there, she sent her brother out to get me and, when I arrived at the bedside, said to me, "I wanted to wait for you to see this, Mom."
Growing up, remaining compassionate and developing patience even during moments of enthusiasm. That's my girl. She was able to wait because she knows I like to share in her special moments.
Special moments come every day for us. Some with Tooth Fairy milestones and others with extraordinary everyday snippets. Many in the margins I increasingly remember to leave around the must-do's of life.
Yes, witnessing our motor-driven girl giggling through rounds of tire fun has me smiling with gratitude for the lifestyle we have chosen.
That is how we roll...
And Jack, dear Jack. That boy is as rough and tumble as he is spry and smiley. He has a vigor and delight that blesses me every day as he jumps into the fray of things with his siblings or creates his own fun.
Independent, yet loving. Sharing in a feast of planned activities, unstructured elbow room and the blessings of both togetherness and personal time, our boy is satiated and so am I.
That is how we roll...
As I reflect upon my three children and their friends enthusiastically taking turns in their self-directed monster tire play, I see so much fruit in our lives. I witness the value of just rolling with things...
Through the years, sometimes on purpose, but many times because that is all I could do, I have been gradually letting go of typically structured life and learning times and embracing an approach that integrates the two seamlessly as we roll through our days, helping one another to live with greater joy and purpose.
As I look ahead to the next school year, I see so many opportunities.
Freedom. Friendships. Fun. Family. Following how the Spirit moves us in grand things and in small. This is how we roll.
May delight be with you today as you roll along. I'd love to hear where the Spirit is directing you.
