The skirt-o-sunshine was a bit of a gamble on my part. I mean, it's way cute and all, and I couldn't wait to sew that sunshine onto something special, but would she wear it?
Oh. Did she ever wear it.
Skirt-o-sunshine went swinging and sliding today.
It watered the garden and rolled in grass.
It took a ride in the big red wagon.
It battled with lightsabers.
It climbed on monkey bars and played hide-and-seek and duck-duck-goose.
Right now, it's in the wash.
Lilly, the fact that you relish wearing all of mama's creations makes me very, very happy.
And now, a confession: I felt sad today.
You see, Ian--this sweet, precious, gorgeous, wonderful thing--well, the sun rises and sets in his eyes as far as I'm concerned. I am completely and hopelessly in love with my sweet, big guy.
And his feelings were hurt today.
This kid who never sees the bad in anything. Who goes with the flow. Who doesn't complain. This child of few words. He said it when he got home from VBS today: "Well, mama, some boys laughed at me today."
And this mama's heart broke.
I'll spare you all the details. Ian's very unique, and I know he won't always be understood. It's a mean, mean world sometimes, and our children are going to be hurt. Again. And again. And again. And as mamas, we have to deal.
But how?
How do YOU deal?
Have gotten some sweet Facebook comments on this post. Wanted to share:
ReplyDeleteCarol Nasby made a comment about your note "Annndd . . . She loves it!":
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about sweet Ian and his sweeter mom. I guess all you can do is hope that with time, he will forget the hurt, or become less sensitive to the world's meanness. I will never forget that when we moved to MO with Scott as an almost h.s. sophomore, we were so worried about how/if he would fit in after growing up in CA. Every day he'd come home from Glendale, eat a snack and barely talk about his day. I would be hopeful each afternoon that he would mention a new friend or something fun that happened. After some weeks I finally asked if he was finding some friends to hang out with. He looked at me and replied, "Mom, no one wants to know me." I thought I would die with a broken heart for him. Now, 10 years later he doesn't remember that time at all and he is doing great. So, he really will be okay in the long run, but I know that day to day it is so difficult to be a caring mom. Hang in there!
And this one on Facebook from my sweet friend Amy Brake:
ReplyDeleteAmy Pelkey Brake made a comment about your note "Annndd . . . She loves it!":
Oh gasp! I just adore the skirt R! Your writings are so fun and easy to read....the part about being in love w/your Ian reminds me of how G and I talk about Roman often....I seriously can imagine my heart breaking the day I hear his feelings were hurt too...my heart hurts now just thinking of it, and h urting for you too......we lovesick mamas..
And an email from dad:
ReplyDeleteYour children will never grow too old for it to hurt.
Dr. John 3:16 Marshall, Pastor
I feel encouraged. Thanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteYou don't! YOU GO AFTER THOSE HORRIBLE BOYS AND MAKE THEM SEE THEIR WRONG!!! No, I am just joking. But don't you feel like it sometimes? Just hold him and let him know that no matter what he will always be ok with you.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your little girl and her skirt is sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is adorable! She looks like a little pixie princess!
ReplyDeleteAnd poor Ian. Those meanies at school!
More sweet Facebook love . . .
ReplyDeleteKathy Menz made a comment about your note "Annndd . . . She loves it!":
I love it too, cuz! Somehow I can hear the tone of your voice in those sweet little notes...is it the same Marshall blood flowing thru our veins? Dunno but it's SO CUTE! Keep writing about your life. Maybe you need a column...
As a teacher for eight years I saw quite a bit...but I have no idea what it will be like for my little guy. It's different when it's your OWN. I just pray for God to protect and show him His love that no one else's opinion matters.
ReplyDeleteRomans 8:28,
Jen
I honestly gasped tonight whn i logged on after being gone for a few days, and saw your new header....gorgeous. and then once again, another gasp seeing your daughter on the swing in that homemade piece of goodness. Sunshine is an understatement. Lucky ducky.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, so sad to hear about your son's hurt feelings. There are so many great children's books about bullies. They bring out the best conversations and lessons. I use them to teach my middle school students about bullying, fairness, etc.
Picture books have been some of the best learning tools in our house.
Ian is a lucky boy and I bet he knows it.
Oh, your pictures are so wonderful; they always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry your sweet boy had his feelings hurt! I wish I had some advice for you. My thoughts are with you! I know exactly how you feel. I don't know how to deal with typical children and their comments about how my girls are "weird" or "stupid". I know their parents just have not exposed them to special needs children, but it hurts to the core.
June,
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize your girls had a special needs diagnosis. Mind me asking what it is?
Neither of my children are special needs, Ian is just very creative and unique in that way. But, my nephew, Sammy, has severe autism so we deal with that on a daily basis.
I am sorry about your hurts. And I understand. Wouldn't it be nice if all the mommies of the world could just unite and eliminate bullies altogether?!
Might I just say that if little miss L loves the sunshiney skirt she'll probably like her late bday gift from me....just sayin' ;)
ReplyDelete