Differences and a Puppy

Meet the newest addition to out little family…

That's Lots-O. We got him in an attempt to help Gabriel socialize a little differently. So far, we haven't had much success, but it's coming. He pretends as though he doesn't like him when we are watching. But when I glance from afar, I see him being sweet. He actually tried to share his cereal with Lots-O over the weekend. On another note, I've had lots of time to think about our recent diagnoses. It's hitting me a little harder, now that the Dr.'s words are bouncing around my brain. I'm not sad about it. I'm a little scared and curious, though. "He may not ever speak." <<< 5 of the scariest words I've ever had to come to terms with in my life. It's not so bad, now because he is so young. I'm a little scared for the future. I'm scared of school. Being different is so scary. He doesn't look different. You can't pick him out of a crowd. Then again, you'll never find him in a crowd. He likes to be alone. He likes to learn alone.  Isn't that what we teach our children anyway? Be your own person! Be unique!  When a difference is thrust upon us, it's not accepted. How fair is that? In my eyes, every one of his differences are beautiful. Like on our recent trip to the zoo, while the kids were adoring the animals, Gabriel was gazing at the flowers. He paid no mind to the obvious, huge animals that were roaring all around him, but focused in on the pops of color in the landscaping. That's beauty. He sometimes get so caught up in nature's beauty, that he seems like he doesn't hear anything else. During thunderstorms, when the rest of the world is upset about the weather, Gabriel stand on his tippy toes and leans against the windows and gets lost in the rain drops. When the sound of thunder fill the house and scares the rest of us, Gabe's face lights up like he is the only one who heard what the sky said.  Then, there's my favorite… when he should be saying "mom, I want juice," he instead grabs my face, kisses my lips, then pulls my hand to his juice cup. He can't say what he wants to yet, but I know exactly what he want. If that's not a super power, I don't know what is. When put around objects with patterns and colors on them, his hand always reaches for the rainbow. He holds all the different color in his hand at once. That tells me that he accepts differences. Hopefully his differences will be accepted also.  While ignorance is observing his differences,  intelligence will be constantly amazed by his abilities.