I wanted to thank you so very much for surrounding our little family in love and protection after my last post! We are so appreciative of every single bit of everything that poured in from every avenue after what I wrote. I will never be able to tell you how much you all mean us! As far as the comments, I hope you saw my replies, as I am fairly new to leaving them on here : )
Shortly after my last post, we had to kick it into high gear as we were leaving for a trip to Telluride. This is a place that has been sitting on my Vision Board since 2008, so I was really excited about being in the mountain, fresh air! Last year, we flew to Idaho to visit our friends and then drove to McCallough and Sun Valley. This year, our same friends were going to meet us there.
Our family and friends are the BEST of the BEST! They have a front row seat at this movie called, "Our Life," so they know first hand how crucially important it is for us to get away together as a couple. To be young. To have fun. To breathe. To just be...him and me. To escape from it all, if only for a little while.
But, it requires a bit of careful planning in order to leave Aviana and Rainey. Think 3 Ring Circus style, but without the cruelty and contortion. Many moving parts, multiple houses, and house keys, various people, different acts, juggling this and that, and from here to there, garage door openers, in and out of the car, 2 additional trained feeders, transferring here and there, at this time and that. What? That one where? There. Yeah! Phew! Got it. Good. Woo Hoo!!
I referred to Aviana as the Hot Little Mamacita Potato. It created an excitement in her world, and I'm sure she loved every minute of it. After all, that's what she thrives on and in
: )
: )
I do not use the term lightly or loosely when I say 'it takes a village'. I thought I was overcome with gratitude when I left, but after I got back, and finally all had slowed and everything was said and done - I was plowed over.
Our family and friends, they pulled it all off without a hitch. Never one call, never a peep....the whole trip. The only time we heard from them was when a sweet little picture of one of our girls would dance across one of our phones : )
They selflessly and lovingly came together for the common good of 3 nights and 4 days for the 2 of us.
From the bottom of our hearts, we love and thank you -
Mom, Gary, Roger, Rella, Warren, Anna, Ami, Oski, Dinah, Sean, Amy, Tracy, Cooper
Here are just a few pictures for now of what you made possible : )
Hey Hodder ~
I have a question....
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Just wondering.
What an amazing family and awesome friends you have, to coordinate all of Avi's and Rainey's care. I'm so glad you got away and could enjoy a time of "refreshing". Respite care is an amazing service for families with children with special needs and disabilities. One of our daughters teaches in a elemntary special ed classroom, but while she was getting her degree, she worked for a couple of agencies and provided respite care for children and adults, while their families were getting some time away. I greatly admire her for being the kind of person willing to do some of the things required of her. I told her that once, and she said, "Mom, you could do those things". I don't think she realized that it truly takes a special person to have the courage it must take to help those who are medically or mentally fragile. I can't imagine what all you have had to learn to do in order to care for Avi and her needs. I know you do it out of total love and devotion to her. I admire both of you, too...and your family and friends for helping make time away together possible. I know you had "no choice" but to learn and do all these things for Avi...but I can still admire your brave hearts and you committment to your child, because you are Avi's heroes! How wonderful in your case, that respite came in the form of trusted family and friends for your peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteNancy in the Midwest
Hi Nancy ~
DeleteI too greatly admire your daughter for doing what she does! To me, she is among a group that tend to render me speechless at times. I always do my very best to explain to respite care providers, nurses, Avi's school teachers, therapists, etc, exactly what they mean to me.
To put themselves in that particular position, to walk into that situation, I agree you have to be a special kind of person!
I know I never would have done it on purpose...it would have hurt my heart too much. It still does everyday. I'm sure you can tell by my writing, this isn't easy. It is hard work. It's pain mixed with love, and joy. It's confusing.
Your daughter is someone exceptional, and of course I know you know : )
That's great! Glad u guys got away. Ur so fortunate to have family/friends like that. U deserve nothing less :)
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! I am so glad you got away and to such a beautiful place! Thank you to all of your family and friends for making it happen! Vacations are so, so important for everyone, especially you guys. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a great trip - you two deserve it and I am sure Avi had a great time with her "village". :)
ReplyDeleteNobody deserves a break more than you two, especially after the January you've had. Thank goodness for your village. I bet you celebrated your birthday in Telluride, which is how it should have been celebrated!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Dixie
AWESOME!!! I'm so glad you were able to have that time!!! This morning I was speaking with a woman who has a special needs child. I told her how clear it was that she was doing a great job with her, and in the course of the conversation I told her your story, and she was really encouraged. I'm so proud of you both! You're an amazing inspiration to so many!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great trip! So glad ya'll got to go. And Avi got a change of pace, too. It's a win-win.
ReplyDelete