July 17, 2023
Sounds of Happiness: Embracing Cooper’s Unique Joy
Cooper,
Last night you were upstairs with your brother. It was long past your bedtime…which for Sawyer isn’t strange. That kid would stay up all night long. But not you typically. You have an internal alarm that tells you when it’s 9 pm and it’s game over.
Up to bed you go with 7 blankets and a pile of treasures so high it takes you two trips up the stairs. But last night was different from some reason.
I heard your sounds first. Laughing. Squeals. Little screams. Hums. Giggles.
You are always making sound. Never quiet. Rarely talking. Just communicating in your own way.
And then I heard your brother say…’you are happy Cooper. I hear you happy.’
It was such a sweet thing to say. The way it was worded.
‘I hear you happy.’
I could also hear that Cars was on, your favorite movie. A movie that Sawyer no longer cares about. But you run the television and I assume he wanted to sit with you and ignore his bedtime.
As the minutes went on I wasn’t sure how he could even hear the tv over your happy sounds. But he must not have cared.
Sometimes I worry that someone will tease you. Or even tease your brother someday. Over your sounds. Strangers may not love them like we do. Or maybe they will fear them. Or be annoyed by your noises.
They won’t understand that pure joy sounds different to every person and that most will never experience it like you do.
When I went upstairs to tell you both to get your cute butts to bed you didn’t pay much attention to me. You were busy.
But Sawyer, he looked right at me and said…’mama, do you hear how happy he is? It’s great, right?’
Keep making sounds kid. Laugh. Giggle. Hum. Squeal. Never stop. No matter what. Just keep being you.
And if someone does say something…I’m pretty sure this one will take care of it.
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.
