This weekend is our taster weekend. It is a taste of our future come early. Our two boys are away at uni., our older girl went to join the eldest for the Hallowe’en weekend. She took with her chocolate orange brownies, made while I was at work on Thursday.
The house is strangely quiet, just my husband, our youngest and myself. This is our future. A different one to other families where the youngest is still at home. Our youngest won’t be off to uni, or starting a job and moving into her own place, or flat sharing with friends.
I am reliably informed that there are better services in the area for disabled adults than there are for disabled children and young people. There are several sheltered houses, where disabled adults live, supervised by a team of carers. It is independence to the degree each person is able. It’s a great thing. I am not convinced it is right for our daughter. Her needs are such I am not persuaded it would be best, at least not while we are still able to provide active care.
How would we explain to her, a young person with limited cognition, why she no longer lived at home and we only came to visit? Unfortunately our daughter cannot tell us what she would like, that would solve the problem. If she could say she would enjoy living with other young people then that is what would happen. Our daughter needs complete care and has just a handful of words. For me the answer is simple, until we can no longer look after her or she shows that she would rather live somewhere else, then she lives with us.
We can perform our daily rituals of reading, singing, helping me make dinner, knocking over the vacuum while I try to do the floor.
In the meantime I can grab a minute when I wake in the morning to make a cuppa and read a page or two. It most likely will just be a minute, no matter how softly I think I pad down the stairs she hears me and soon joins me.
The day begins.
I hope your Saturday began well and brings you a weekend of relaxation.
© 2012, Penbleth / L. McG.-E.. All rights reserved.
Maxine - Such a beautiful reminder that there is no greater love than the love we have for our children. Your post is such an expression of love and sovereignty, Bless you and your family Lynn x I love the photos too. Chocolate orange brownies….they sound delicious x
Kelly - Thank you for opening my eyes to what it means to live with a child that might forever need your care. So beautifully written and I felt your thoughts were shared completely from the heart
. Gorgeous gorgeous.
Janet Isserlis - all the love
Sherry - Some nests are meant to be feathered for a lifetime; some nests are feathered for the off spring to leave…you have the joy of having both kinds xo
Wendy - You are such a great mom (and an inspiration…) Thank you so much for sharing.