Susan Senator
All happy families are not alike...
All happy families are not alike...
To Life
To life, to life, l’chaim
It gives us something to think about
Something to drink about
Drink, l’chaim, to life!
–Tevye
The number 18 means “chai” or “life” in Hebrew
–Jewish lore
Two things in one night:
The EKG was, after all, okay. A small scar near her heart, no problem. Knock wood, Thank God.
And this.
Last night the phone rang as it usually does at around 6:30. Here’s what ensued, according to my intuitive memory:
S: “Hello,”
Nat: “Can I speak to Mommy or Daddy.”
S: “Hi Nat! It’s Mommy!”
N: “Hello Mommy. How are you?”
S: “I’m doing great, Natty! How are you?”
N: (pause) “Good. (pause) What did you do today?”
S: I went to the supermarket.
N: Yes.
S: What did you do today?
N: Some programs, treadmill
S: Oh, great! Nat did you go to work today?
N: (pause) “You did some work.”
S: Nat, where did you work? Papa Gino’s or Meals on Wheels?
N: (pause) Papaginos.
S: Did you like it?
N: (pause) Yes.
S: Nat, what did you eat for dinner?
N: Parmes, chicken, stuffing, potatoes.
S: Oh good! Nat, I am making Thai food. But I have to wait because Daddy isn’t home yet.
N: Yes.
S: Nat, are you going to take a shower now?
N: Yes. Bye
S: Nat, are you hanging up now?
N: Yes.
S: Goodbye, Darling. I love you.
N: Goodbye.
18 years is a long time to wait, but I got my reward last night.
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Susan, that is completely awesome! My heart was beating probably as I read it, although I’m sure not as strong as your’s when you heard that lovely voice on the other end! Way to go Nat!
That phone conversation is awesome! I am also really impressed that you are making Thai food from scratch!
susie
And what a reward it was! Wow. That is just great! Thanks for sharing such a great moment with us.
That was the most incredibly awesome thing I’ve read in a long time….It brought tears to my eyes….Good for Nat! And yay for you too!
What a chatty Cathy!! That’s great growth, hooray for Nat. That must have made you great, thanks for sharing. Remember to love yourself and eat a cracker. MMMMMmmm, club crackers……mmmm Lisa
Lisa! I just ate like 10 Ritz crackers! Thanks for the advice.
Couldn’t you just inhale that precious boy? It is so wonderful to have these moments.
Wow, that’s some progress! From what I’ve learned about autism and from some other things you shared about Nat, I know what a huge improvement that is and how much he must be growing from this experience.
For the first time ever, I thought to myself “You know, if my kid has autism, I’m not going to think it’s the end of the world.” (I still hope it’s not the case, but if it happens, I’ll remember Nat.)
Shannon –
Is that what I think it means?! We have to catch up! Are you doing the Sonia workshop, and going to the show on the 2nd?