Friday, December 16, 2011

believing in max.


Every day, rain or shine, I drive Max to his therapy session. Round trip, it's about an hour, and it gives me a lot of time to reflect. Unlike his younger sister, Max is a quiet passenger, and I often find myself looking in the rearview mirror, double checking that he's actually in the backseat and that I haven't forgotten the important step of picking him up from school before I make the trip to the clinic.

As I drove by the local mall today, with its parking lot full on a weekday with Christmas shoppers, I was reminded that I really don't want anything for Christmas this year. Don't get me wrong, I will absolutely appreciate and enjoy any gifts I am fortunate enough to receive. But, the things that my heart truly desires are not physical things.  The thing I want most in this world, is for Max to continue to have progress. It is my belief in him, and helping him learn how to communicate and navigate our world that keeps my engine running. The words I remember on the hardest days are those of my late friend Kim Pace.

"Visualize it - each and every day and that is what WILL be. Believe it with every ounce of strength you have and there will be no other alternative."

Max has had tremendous progress these past few months. We seem to finally be making real headway with a toileting routine, his eye contact is breathtaking, he is reading and spelling, and he is communicating unprompted. I cannot fully describe to you how my heart swells when he says "Goodbye Mommy" each day when I drop him off at the clinic. He is my daily affirmation that if you believe with all your heart, anything can happen. He is the reason that even on the hard days, I put one foot in front of the other and keep going. He has proven the doomsayers in his life 100% incorrect. And he does so with a smile that will not be denied. Thank you Max for making me a believer.

4 comments:

  1. Hi,

    I recently found your blog and have had great interest in reading about your journey with Max from start to finish. My son Toby will be 2 in a couple of weeks and we have our worries. After a 6 month wait, we are seeing a Development Pediatrician on Monday. As yet he is non verbal and has other characteristics that worry us. Your blog has given me hope. I have been thinking the exact same thing this week. I don't really care about presents this year, all I want is my son out of this bubble that I feel he is trapped in and some progress. Thank you for your lovely inspiring posts.

    Sam x

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  2. Anonymous11:54 p.m.

    AMEN!
    JJ

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  3. Anonymous8:57 a.m.

    Your & Max's determination and triumphs are awe-inspiring.

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  4. Anonymous1:38 a.m.

    This brought me to tears. It's so great to see how far Max has already come. You're an amazing mom - he couldn't have done it without you.

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