Happy St.Patrick's Day before I fail to mention. It is a big deal in my home. Sporting green, shamrocks and an Irish passport (or a reasonable facsimile) are required to get in!
The girls were in St.Paddy's day form as they are year after year and I think dad put on those super-hard-to-remove and not really school appropriate tatoos on the two oldest daughters very intentionally. He is proud to be Irish. Needless to say that I hope none of the kids in Maya's big buddy group read the label on the tat..... sigh.
It is official, Layla is a real life leprechaun. She is the lucky McKay charm. She's surrounded by marshmallow rainbows. Seriously.
Too cute in all of her green, she played it up very nicely. Sabrina has decided for the month of March from here on in, she will go from prized Mermaid status to the Irish counterpart - a female leprachaun :).
We have been watching the Paralympics and have the fortune of taking in a game in a few days with my dear bro. Everytime I watch these games, I cry. It, like everything else, has to do with my baby. While I wait for the melodrama to pass, I may as well use this very drama to inspire.
Layla is a Para. The thought of her being in a wheelchair is well, it is a big thought.
I reflect back to Alexandre Bilodeau winning the Olympic Gold for Canada. His family, his brother with Cerebral Palsy. Watching the Bilodeau family and hearing Alexandre speak of his brother as a force in his own life moved many people. For many reasons. We watched it with a heavy heart and lots of fierce pride at the same time. This is how it hits me. Heavy - with tears - and proudly encouraged - smile - are two feelings that have teamed up and follow me everywhere. It is a new and surprising experience. I am the parent of that child that inspires. Right now though, I can't deny how harsh this reality is.
Sometimes I just want to surround myself with company and good times. Other times, being alone and walking the road solo is the way to go. Right now, I need to be alone and restore some energy.
I've started explaining Layla's events to more family members. They are great. This cat needs to be kept out of the closet. There will be no closets in Layla's being. Seriously how can there be, I talk too much to ever let that happen!
She is too much to love and I hope that I can let all of my friends and family into my experience and the walk (or ride) of her life. Knowledge is key. She will be the change for many people. I am going to be her eyes and ears and transportation system for a while.
I do it with fierce pleasure and pride.
Go Paralympians!!
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