Always Keep Your Chin Up: The Wiggles

About this blog

The road of life can be so many things at so many different times. One minute you're on a smooth straightway, zipping through without a care in the world. The next minute, you are at a crossroads, wondering which road to go on. Then you find yourself climbing up a steep slope wondering if you'll ever make it to the top, only to find that the top is full of nothing but bumps and potholes. You tell yourself, "you can't stop now, you must go on" because soon there is bound to be straight and smooth paths again. You can see the prize at the end, but while you are on the path, you must not forget to..."Keep Your Chin Up."

Ryan & Autism

I started this blog primarily for the subject of autism, but as the years have gone on, it has morphed into other areas. My hope is that by sharing a little about our lives, whatever the topic may be, we will be touching a part of someone esle and telling them that they are not alone.

My 9 year old son, Ryan, has autism. I started this blog as a way for me to have an outlet to connect, express and, hopefully, receive feedback on life as we know it. Raising a child with a disability can be a very isolating experience. The only way to do it, and to stay sane, is to "keep your chin up."

It's also a way for me to be able to spread a little awareness out there by sharing the kind of typical things we go through. I think you'll find we are more like a typical family, than not.

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Wiggles

We took the boys to see the Wiggles concert tonight. Some of you may already know how much Nathan has LOVED the Wiggles the past few years. They were the first show that he really got into and when he did, he was HOOKED. I can't count the number of times I have sung "Fruit Salad" or Hot Potato" or have pointed my finger and done the twist with Nathan in our living room or car.

The last time we saw them, 2 years ago, we all ended up enjoying the show so much that we vowed the next time they were in town we would get better than balcony seats we had the first time. So after spending our almost live savings (ha!), we did just that and bought better seats. To see the boys faces made it worth it a hundred times over. Dave and I had been excited all day in anticipation of the show. The boys have been counting down the days for 2 weeks, so it goes without saying how much they were looking forward to it.

When they drove out in the "Big Red Car", I couldn't help but to start crying. I am such an emotional loon! But to see them so close was a bit surreal. I wouldn't call it The Beatles craze, but I understand a little of why people become overcome with emotion during concerts. It was seeing the looks on the children's faces, especially my own, that got to me, as well. And most importantly, it was the gratitude I had for these group of guys for being such a huge part of my kids lives these past years. They've literally spent more time in my living room than almost any physical outside person has.

To be an earshot from the stage AND to have Sam, Jeff and Anthony walk right past us were the highlights of the night. For about an hour and a half we sang, clapped, laughed, danced and enjoyed the childlike kind of joy that is so needed in this crazy life. It was such a good night.

Thank you Murray, Anthony, Jeff and Sam (and Greg) for being a big part of the memories I'll take away from the boys early childhood years. Thank you for what you mean to them, and for helping 2 parents to have fun!