We Touch Our Hearts

My son Cooper knows some sign language.

Like many parents, when we realized that he wasn’t babbling, we dove into baby sign language.

More. Yes. No. Help. Cookie. Ball. Sit. All done. Thank you.

The important ones.

As he got older, and his fingers and hands didn’t seem to cooperate in the way we hoped, his signs got less and less.

As he aged, we turned our focus to a speech device. A computer that speaks at the touch of a button.

I’m telling you this because something beautiful just happened.

In the loud. The chaos. The craziness of a family of six and Easter baskets.

See little voices are loud. And I’ve learned I really have to listen with more than my ears to hear my oldest son.

Just minutes ago, amidst talk of dinosaurs and chocolate eggs and steam train DVDS, I made eye contact with Cooper.

And without saying a word he made the sign for ‘thank you.’

And he smiled sweetly.

And he pointed to his movies. And his brothers. And even his baby sister who climbs all over him and takes his things.

I have never heard something so loud.

He signed it again one more time to make sure I heard him.

I touched my heart and pointed to him. And he mimicked.

Faster. With purpose.

That’s how we say I love you in our world.

We touch our hearts.

‘You are welcome bud.’

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and join our supporter page, Coop’s Troops, for an amazing community full of support and understanding.