I woke up this morning and had to write down my thoughts about our last day in 2007. Then I decided to find a sketch and turn my journaling into a scrapbook page.
I choose SBSC121 and SBDD07 AnnaLouise's challenge: to use her sketch (121) and do some stamping on your page.
The journaling is going in a pocket on the back of the page.
Diagnosis Autism:
On the last day of 2007 we heard the words we already knew to be true in our hearts: “Your son has Autism” Whew…it still broke my heart a little to hear the words… but we had already accepted it. It has been an emotionally exhausting 5 months. Long wait times for evaluations at the school and even longer wait times to see doctors. I have learned so many things in the past few months. For one, I couldn’t have been born to a more supportive Mother. She was the first to tell me she didn’t think I was overreacting, that I was onto something and to follow my gut. Even from 1,500 miles away she has been an amazing support. My sister and I have become closer and I am so grateful to her for her phone calls and emails. She always makes me laugh and now that we have decided to move to "back home" I look forward to being able to drop by her house… and drop off Rocco! Both our families have been supportive and I know we are blessed to have them in our lives. For the second time in my life I have learned the real meaning of the word “friendship” and just how special it is to have friends who really listen with their hearts and let you know they love you, your doing a good job, you are a good mom, they want to be in your son’s life and they will do what they can to help you and support you. I hope to someday repay the favor and let them know just how special they are to me. I realized again I made the right choice when I married Giancarlo. From the day I made him sit down and watch Oprah’s show with Jenny McCarthy (not his favorite thing to do!) we have been on the same page and he has been there when I needed him most. I know how rare that is and I am so grateful that even though we are far away from family and friends we have each other. I understand Rocco so much more and am determined to help him any way I can. Our lives have forever been altered and I’ve had to let go of my dreams. I had to grieve for the son that I thought I had. It has not been easy and I know that we have started down a long and difficult path. We have learned to celebrate the small miracles each day and our joy at each new skill is immeasurable. I love Jenny’s response when she was questioned about her son’s lack of affection. “He IS Love” She couldn’t have said it any better and it’s right on the money. Rocco may not be the most cuddly kid but I FEEL his love. It’s in his smile, his bright blue eyes, his laughter, his noise, his silliness, and his happiness. When I really get down to the bottom of all my hopes and dreams for him it is that I really hope he is happy in his life. Whatever he becomes I hope he is a happy one.
"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however." Richard Bach
I plan to work hard for my wishes and his too.
Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2008 GMT Views: 2558
Favorited:13
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: November 4, 2004 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 13717
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 @ 3:40 PM
Scrapping can be very therapeutic, doesn't it? I think you turned your thoughts into a gorgeous page, and I hope 2008 will be a great year for you and your whole family!
Best wishes!
Cindy
------------------------------ Cindy French-Canadian SU! Demo and Fan Club member
Registered: March 5, 2006 Location: The Beach! Posts: 2379
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 @ 6:51 PM
Oh Kim, that is really beautiul. I am so proud of you for being so strong and a such a wonderful Mother.
------------------------------ August 2009: 0/12 12x12 pages complete 12x12 pages completed in 2009- 12 Andrea (Mom of 3- Aiden 6, Annabella 4 and Anderson 4/16/2009)
Registered: January 27, 2005 Location: near Santa's Village Posts: 279
Sat, Jan 05, 2008 @ 8:45 PM
Your son is absolutely DARLING!! I have worked with kids with autism for 12 years. We assistants (there are 4 of us) are generally assigned to work with one or two kids in our class for the year, but help out with all eight. I can tell you just by looking at your son's sweet face, we would be totally fighting over who was going to get him for the year. :-) Actually the teachers decide all that but that doesn't stop us from trying. LOL The fact that you have accepted the diagnosis and want to do the best by him is such a huge step. In my experience the kids whose parents accept the diagnosis, treat their kids as 'normally' (I don't really like that word) as possible are the highest achievers. God bless you and good luck to your family.
P.S. You are a fantastic scrapbooker too!
------------------------------ How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassssionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong because someday you will have been all of these.--George Washington Carver
Registered: April 7, 2005 Location: stamping room with DGD Posts: 20207
Wed, Jan 09, 2008 @ 4:45 AM
wow Kim - this is such a strong and beautiful page, tear-jearking journaling and adorable picture of Rocco. May 2008 hold many good things for you and your family.
Registered: July 14, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 19
Sat, Jan 26, 2008 @ 1:27 PM
Your layout drew me in. Your story captivated me. I've worked with the autistic and I've found that one finds love in the small things. Maybe it's a smile, a glance, or a brief touch. Nonetheless, it is love shown in the child's own way.
Registered: April 16, 2006 Location: South America Posts: 54
Sun, Mar 02, 2008 @ 6:45 AM
WOW!!! Just perfect!!! TFS!
C.
------------------------------ "Once you can accept the universe as being something expanding into an infinite nothing which is something, wearing stripes with plaid is easy"
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Thank you for sharing your journaling it brought tears to my eyes. My ds was just diagnosised with Autism. We have known this for about 2 years but just got the official word. Your son is beautiful and you have created a wonderful page and sentiment.