A Grateful Heart

Back in December, at the start of Christmas break, Liam was invited to a birthday party.  It was in Los Osos, and we didn't know if we would hang out at the house during the party or not, but it turns out it wasn't really a "parents hang out and chat while kids play" party, so Lupe and I went and had some mother-daughter time sharing a huge bowl of noodles at Kuma.
Liam had become friends with the birthday boy last year in first grade and his dad happens to be Lupe's sixth grade teacher.  So they were a family we don't know very well, but knew we cold trust. I mention this only because we haven't left Liam at a birthday party before. His diet is specific (vegetarian, gluten free etc) and he needs reminders t go to the bathroom, and to some his speech isn't always understandable.  Being the parent of a child with special needs often requires a lot of extra thought.  It is our "normal" to always be thinking of the unique way Liam interacts with the world.

When we came back at the end of the party, we saw 8 or so boys on, off and around a couch watching a movie.   Liam was in the same room, but off to the side, playing with a basketball.   He doesn't usually sit through a whole movie, and for a moment I was thinking about it being another marker of his "difference": Liam why aren't you doing what all the other kids are doing?
But then.... Then the dad comments as we are leaving that Liam was one of only two boys there that evening who said "thank you" for anything... And my heart swelled.  I felt proud of my boy.  But more importantly, it was yet another reminder that it is our differences that are important.  Our own unique abilities and interests that should be celebrated.  You'd think that this would be second nature to me by now, but as a human, I am imperfect.   I need reminders. 

Continuing on the theme of thankfulness, Liam reminds us daily to be grateful.  I would call us a spiritual family, definitely not religious.   Something that we have done, on occasion for years, is to say grace before dinner.  Lupe coined our standard "prayer", which is, "Thank you God for food, friends, farmers and family". 

Then we often go around the table and take turns saying something we are grateful for.  For the last year, Liam has taken over this important ritual.   Now we say grace before every meal.  Quick breakfasts before school, out at  restaurants.

Sometimes he recounts his day, thanking God for swim or dance.   Sometimes he lists the people most on his mind. Recently he has been keeping it sweet and simple:

"Thank you God for myself. Amen".

Is he trying to be funny? Is he super hungry and wanting to be quick? Simply self-confident? Whatever his thinking, we like it!