Special Eyes

I have been writing Wellness Moments for over 4 years now. As I look back at my back issues, I am struck by how many times I have written about my special needs daughter.  Here are a few:
* Chocolate Chicken (you have to read about half way down)

* Volleyball Champ
* Baseball
* Mothers Day

* Real Diversity

I have known for a long time that she, and others like her, teach us all. This issue is dedicated to other mini-lessons I have learned from my daughter.

Lesson 1
Once when she was upset at me, she said quite seriously, "What's the matter with your problem."  Think about it - that is profound!

Lesson 2
Once when the bus was late, she said to nobody in particular, "I want to get on that bus and get the hell out of here!" My wife said with mild suspicion, "Where did she learn that?"  Without missing a beat, I mischieviously replied, "How the hell should I know?" I don't think she heard that from me but I was reminded that we should watch what we say and how we speak around kids.

Lesson 3
She tells all the women that she meets ANYWHERE - "You are gorgeous. You are lovely."  Then she smiles and bounces away.  My friend Shanen wants to hire her as her "Self-esteem Coach."  Given the white hot growth of all things coaching, maybe I should create the certification and have my daughter conduct the training for that coaching track! The lesson I learn from her everyday is that there is good in everyone.

Lesson 4
Not long ago, we had a conference with her teachers including her PE coach. He said, that until my daughter came along, in all his years of teaching he has never had a child say "WOOO HOOO" when he announced that the 300 yard shuttle run was in the daily lesson plan.  I was reminded that an optimistic outlook, to a great extent, shapes how you experience life.

Be Well