Hume Lake 2011 - The Lord is good.
“Yes, boat”, our oldest boy said with a huge grin. His eyes scanned each of ours as he awaited our response.
A glimmer of hope rose up in me, “Do you want to go on the boat this morning?”
“Yes, boat”, he said a second time. It was our third day of summer vacation, and our boy with special needs was beginning to drop his guard. He was slowly adjusting to the change in environment and opening himself up to fun activities.
We barely finished breakfast, but we all intuitively knew to take advantage of the situation. No one bothered to put on their bathing suits or sandals, instead we scurried off to the boat house. This time we avoided the creaky wooden dock and the rowboat which rocked so much it shook his footing. I stopped to pick up paddles and life jackets while the boys walked straight to the kayaks—the red ones, because red is AJ’s favorite color. It made him equally happy to adorn the red life jacket.
AJ cautiously walked through the muddy path, weaving in between the other boats, then awkwardly swung his leg into the kayak. Dad held the boat steady while brother helped AJ sit down. The kayak was a good choice. He was able to sit securely on stable land while his Dad gently slipped the kayak into the lake.
The rest of us stood on paddle boards and glided alongside the kayak. He was not protesting with the anxiety he displayed yesterday. Quietly grunting to express his discomfort, he suddenly changed his tune. “Yea!” he yelled and then applauded his own accomplishment. I dug my paddle through the water as my toes dug into the board. Our other two boys stood beside me gliding through the lake on their own boards.
My youngest boy teased me and reached his paddle out to nudge my board. My feet changed positions to regain balance, but down I went. I crashed into the water with my skirt flowing up around me. Thankfully, most of the campers were still eating breakfast and there were no other boaters on the lake. With little grace, I crawled and slipped my way back on the board. What a great morning. We floated and laughed and enjoyed each other for a couple of hours.
This is a rare occasion. Do you know how often some of us special needs families are able to enjoy adventures together? Often times either my husband or I hang out in the hotel room watching Lion King with AJ while the other parent takes the siblings out for fun. What a gift we experienced this morning; two parents together with all of our children enjoying the lake.
Carefree in the kayak
We pulled our boards and the red kayak ashore after a great morning of water fun. The boys stripped off their life jackets when AJ requested, “more boat ride”. So, out went he and his brother on a second adventure. This time he was done after 10 minutes, but he was able to build one success upon a previous success. The praise and the high fives and the gummy bears were flourished upon our boy for the happy choices he made.
The family was encouraged with progress while the heart gives credit and gratitude to our Lord. Thank you Jesus, for a carefree spirit in our boy today. Please give us more.
I’m going to pray this prayer relentlessly.
AJ enjoyed many moments of relaxation on vacation
BONNIE J. CHRISTENSEN
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