Being a parent to a special needs daughter is, well, special. I would have never chosen this for my family - or for Charlee - but now that’s it’s here, I would not un-choose it either.
Days can be hilarious, or hard, or humbling… I rejoice over the small things (dressing herself is fun, yet ‘make-a-huge-mess’ new skill!) or get upset at the comments people feel at liberty to speak, just because she’s not your average almost-7-year-old… but mostly our days are filled with joy. I’m convinced that more joy passes through her heart in an instant than some of us experience all year.
I had a meeting with her teacher this week. And although its become easier over the years to hear that she’s / missed milestones / developmentally delayed / failed to achieve most of her school goals / she is a valued member of the class and is making good friends. In fact, Mrs. Brown told me that Charlee has found her tribe.
Her tribe - I love this.
These kids! They love her, include her and save her a piece of cake from their sister’s birthday party… They make sure she’s OK when she falls, or is upset, and she absolutely adores them. They are her warriors, standing up for her when she needs it, are forgiving when she is wrong and most importantly, they let her be Charlee.
This band of little people has made me realize we’ve had a tribe all along. She has brothers who cheer for her small victories. She has aunties, cousins and grandparents who have held our hands, and just been there since the beginning. Friends have been like family, done emergency runs and sat in hospital beds with us. We’ve had some of the most amazing teachers, assistants and kind little girls who help take off her rubber boots at school.
Therapists, doctors and Special Olympics volunteers have gone way above and beyond - and people who take the time to get to know her, listen, and answer her questions (Dogs? Babies? Cake?!) can see that she has some real joy to spread. She has Matt and I, who think she’s incredible no matter what.
The tribe.
She’s taught us to be gracious, understanding and compassionate. She’s taught me that anyone can be a warrior, if they need to be. And most importantly, she’s shown us that everyone has something real to offer. Charlee’s disabilities don't limit her - they make her perfect - just the way God intended her to be.
Thank you guys, for being her people.
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.” Psalm 119:13/16
