Words I'll Never Get Tired Of Hearing

Today was our OT appt. We are on our last CD of the Theraputic Listening program. On our way out, I stopped to go to the restroom and S waited outside with daddy. When I came out, she ran to me like she hadn't seen me in 10 years. I swooped her up and we hugged. She told me she loved me and I said I loved her too. Then she something about her heart, but it was an unfinished sentence that didn't make sense to me. Then she asked if our hearts were full and I said yes. She asked what they were full of and I told her love. This made her happy and she hugged me even tighter. I have been emailing with another mom and I was telling her the differences with parenting S and my other kids. It was great to write it out because I made a list of the things I notice and appreciate more because of our difficulties. Today as I was watching her put a cup to her mouth to drink milk at OT, I was realizing how much I appreciated this small accomplishment. She also ate 2 small pieces of chicken for the OT. I thought she would gag and throw up, she looked like she would. The OT made her keep it in her mouth, and I almost intervened. It was a fine line between encouraging and forcing. She always has the option of spitting out something new. I am so thrilled with all she can do, even if it isn't what the other kids can do. She might make it there someday, if not, we sure will have fun along the way. There's lots I've never accomplished and it's no big deal. The things I have accomplished far outshine what I didn't get to do. The same will go for my precious girl. She is a star in my eyes, and there's lots more to come from this special little girl. My other kids have sacrificed so much for her, but what they learned in the process has been so much more than they have given up. They have experienced so much more of life than most people ever will. Hopefully through our experiences, we will be able to encourage and help others.