June 2, 2023
My Son’s Heart of Compassion
My son,
Today is the first day of summer vacation for you. You are 10 and yesterday was your last day of fourth grade.
On the walk to the car after your day, not one minute into summer, you said, I’m a fifth grader now.
You have always wanted to be older. Bigger. Faster.
You have never had time for little kid stuff.
I’ve noticed as we’ve entered these in-between years, parenting is getting a bit more confusing.
I find myself questioning myself a lot. Wondering if I’m going the right things.
You ask so many questions. And I’ll admit, those are getting more complicated too.
They used to be about dinosaur teeth and digging to the center of the earth.
Now they are about puberty and if your brother will ever talk to you.
Hard hitting I tell you.
The other day I watched you run wild with your buddies. Well as close to wild as I would allow.
You were acting tough. Talking big. Showing off. You were clearly the ring leader.
And I found myself a bit nervous. For when you really are a teenager.
Then I watched you notice a little girl playing near you and your crew. She was no older than two.
She fell. Toppled right over. Huge alligator tears. Skinned knees.
You ran to her, leaving your buddies behind.
You stood her up. Wiped her knees. Gave her a hug.
I watched you say something to her. Then she smiled.
You are kind my son. And you see people. Little people. Different people. Even when others do not.
I think that is my favorite thing about you.
‘There is a boy at school mom who doesn’t have a lot of friends. I’m worried about him this summer. What if no one plays with him? Maybe we could visit.’
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. You can also follow us on Facebook.
