There's always a beginning and an end, that's the way of things. And so as we come to the end of this year's "31 For 21: Challenge" it is astonishing to me that the month of October is over. It's not just the blog, though I feel a serenity in knowing that I was able to follow through with a month's worth of blogs. It wasn't always easy, there were times it was downright tough, and yes - I think that might have been about fifteen days in. But it wasn't for lack of topics, it was more like lack of emotional energy to give. Or rather, I wasn't sure I had to give.
Life comes in fits and spurts...we'll go for a whole bunch of months with nothing much going on, and then something amazing...or just as likely something frightening with Bradley. October was one of those looming months that had the potential for disaster, and yet also had the potential for amazing - perhaps I can even say Awe-inspiring and not be overly dramatic about it. I think in our case it just fit.
We learned over summer that October was to be our month. Eric's job was going to be eliminated and if he didn't find something else beforehand, we would be subject to RIF...it's not a misspelling. I'm not trying to say RIP, although it means RIP for his job and then our current location if nothing was available here, RIF means Reduction In Force. It would mean we go where the Navy pleases and has a place for him, wow, this sounds ironically familiar. I mean we even joked how ironic that in our former life, we would be looking for orders and getting ready for our next move anyway. So anyhow, much like how we ended up in Atsugi, Japan we would be sent as the Navy pleases. If that was China Lake, so be it...if that was Monterey, so be it...if that was El Centro...if it was Cuba...well God Help Us! But you get the idea.
October held other promises for us too. It was supposed to be the end of the furloughs we had to survive over summer, and it was to be the Buddy Walk for Bradley - a brief respite from our daily grind with our most excellent friends! October was going to give us news that Bradley's puppy was in the process of forming, and was cooking in its mommy's belly. And it was gong to bring Halloween, which is so much fun when you have little kids...or are a little kid at heart! Guess I fit in both of those categories! ;-)
So all those things were what we were expecting in October. This is what we got: Eric's job did go away, but a timely Retirement of a fellow employee allowed Eric to move into his old position. So in theory no RIF for us. The job is gone but there is no move for us at the Navy's whim, and considering where the Navy's whim was blowing...it's a relief. The every Friday unpaid Furloughs ended but in October the Government shutdown began. The back pay came in for that, but the worry over whether it would be offered and then whether it would come before time to pay rent, well that was a bit heavy on our minds. But we stretched the dollars as far as they would go and survived this round only to wonder if this is something we might have to do again in January. Oh joy!
We did get to the Buddy Walk in San Diego, and felt what Acceptance for Bradley feels like. Our Team was as amazing as always, the love there is binding and will always carry us through, it's just that strong and that important. The best part, I broke through the shyness of our friends daughters, and by the end of the day I had a new little friend holding me back. Sometimes life is just that great! New friends, old friend, and friends all the way from Japan! We know what it feels like to be Blessed and I hope it happens to each of you so that you get a chance to feel how we felt, how we feel. Because even up here near our house, we were able to go on a Celebration of Down syndrome walk, and we still had the best supporters walk with us. There for us, there to cheer on Bradley! Awesome, in the sense of what the word truly means; not the cheap over use of the 80's! :-)
Bradley's health took a turn into uncharted territory, so much that we aren't sure what in the world is going on with him right now, but we're trying really hard to get ahead of it. But he also is throwing in some new sounds and really attempting to turn a lot of those sounds into words. He really, really tried to repeat Daddy tonight in saying: "Trick or treat!" and "Candy!" An innocent bystander wouldn't have heard it, but we know his sounds and how often you don't get any...these were concentrated efforts to mimic sound. Beautiful.
We don't have a puppy on the way yet...but everyday will bring Molly closer to going into Heat and then well...we all know how those things go from there. It's a matter of time, but we were sure holding our breath throughout October waiting for the magic moment when we learned the news. We're breathing now, because well, I can't hold my breath for very long anyway. :-) But it's coming, and we know it's coming and the puppy will be on its way before too much longer.
And then there is Halloween, what a great night. Bradley walked around a little last year, but wasn't all that interested. He had a lot of interest this year. In fact, in some areas a little too much. But if you want to talk about beating Challenges...here he comes! He walked to the doors this year more often than last year. Sometimes he waited for candy, sometimes he assessed and walked away. When we first started, he wanted to walk in to everyone's homes. In fact, he couldn't understand why we were coming to visit our new friends and not going in to stay awhile, over and over again. But after twenty houses...ish...he started getting the hang of it. The bucket was the best toy ever. He liked carrying that and wasn't thrilled to ever put it down or anyone taking it from him. He grew to like grabbing the candy, he thought putting that into his bucket was super cool. Not as cool as sitting on the sidewalk and throwing the candy in the bucket out, but hey... everyone has their way to entertain themselves. About this point, he decided it was pretty cool to hold it in his lap in the stroller, and then gave it up to play with his little shoe coverings instead. He waved to a few people, and signed thank you, but never made a sound. The waving was a big thing though.
Back at the house, he took a lot of interest in the girls handing out candy, and by the end of the bowl he was throwing (and I mean catch it in your bag if you want it, throwing) the candy into the bags of the kids. He was quite upset when we ran out of candy. My shy guy took a few steps out of his shell tonight, just a couple, but really important ones. It was pretty great! He went from very upset about things to understanding more of what was going on, and to us, that was huge!
So all in all, October has been one of those really weird months that really tests your resolve, your patience, and your Faith. We've had some great stuff and not so great stuff, and we've had a lot of emotions running pretty high throughout the house; but eventually, Madison will even out and Sydney will start in...oh, um great...can't wait! :-) As for Challenges, it's been another inspiriting month of meeting this one for me. I love my son, I love the life that he is living and how it impacts the lives of this whole family. There will always be those that won't accept him for who he is and how great he is, but there are always more that are going to see him, and know him, and be inspired and feel they are better off from having been a recipient of his smile. I know this in my soul to be true, so I guess my Faith has come through this month pretty well...we had our moments, but where Bradley is concerned, the Faith is strong! The girls are crazy like usual, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They are learning to be little adults someday, and by the time they get there I won't be reminding them of things like: "You know this is why Lions eat their young right?" Oh mom...giggle, giggle, giggle...it never holds enough authority for them and I don't know why. :-)
Greatness can happen in an instant, your job is to be ready to see it, to accept it in that instant, to have an open mind and a receiving heart willing to believe in the beauty that comes from within another. All of my kids have it, and when you get them together at their ease, and at their truest moments of joy and happiness, you get to witness it! So from a Pirate, a Cowgirl and Monster, hope you all had a Happy Halloween...and hope your October was easier than ours, but just as great. I just want to thank you for stopping by to read our blog and be a part of our wonderful, albeit crazy family!
"31 For 21: Challenge" 2013...signing off for this year. My kids will keep growing and life will keep happening here, feel free to check in anytime, there are always more stories to tell. Until then, think kindly of those that are different from you. Not everyone can sing, but that doesn't mean you don't love the music. Good night everyone!
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