Thursday, November 22, 2007

Best Thanksgiving.....




I know that those of you who visit pretty regularly know that I have a 12 year old daughter with Cerebral Palsy. Many of the things that daughters and mothers share, I haven't been able to enjoy. Cortney doesn't like to shop, it is overwhelming, and she covers her ears, bangs her head, and cries. She doesn't play with regular toys. They are electronic "baby" toys that give her instant gratification. I haven't had the luxury of baking or cooking with Cortney....until now. Kyle loves to cook, and on Wednesday we were talking about it since I was hosting Thanksgiving. Cortney told us several times, "Me cook." I was astounded! I asked her several times, thinking that maybe she would change her mind, and each time her response was the same......"Me cook." I quickly put her in her Gait trainer, pulled her up to the kitchen table, and turned on the Christmas music. I was so afraid that this wasn't going to last, that suddenly she would start to bang her head and want to go watch a tape in her room......but she wasn't.....she was actually smiling! So I had her help with the green bean casserole. I had her dump all the ingredients in and mix them in with a big wooden spoon. Still no tears! I had Kyle take some pictures of her! When she was done with the casserole, she announced, "More cook!" So then we proceeded to make a pound cake. It was pretty funny, because at one point while mixing the flour with the spoon, she flicked it too hard and ended up with flour in her hair, her shirt, and her face! She really looked like a chef! For an entire hour, I had the pleasure of preparing my Thanksgiving meal with my 2 beautiful children. I can't explain how good it made me feel. It is these little milestones, that keep me going.


I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!

30 comments:

Tanis said...

Wow, what a moment...and a memory! I'm so glad you were able to share this together! What a blessed Thanksgiving for you!

Tracy.H said...

She looks so happy...and so does Mom!! You definitely deserve to enjoy that moment...I am so glad you got some pics to capture the memories too!! TFS :0)

Donna Baker said...

what a great memory for you to capture, not only in your pictures, but your heart. You must be a strong woman, to endure the heartache of not always getting these types of moments with your daughter. My heart goes out to you and much respect to you & your family, I know others who are not strong enough to care for certain disabilities. My Nana cared for her mentally retarded son until he died in his 40's - my uncle and I got along well (I was about 5 when he died) and my Nana died not long after, her heart was broken. But I realized the strength she had committing to his care. {{hugs}}

Teresa said...

What a wonderful thing you got to share with your kids! Enjoy every milestone!

Michelle said...

Wow, talk about a sweet group of pictures! The way you told the story brought tears to my eyes. Wow, that's just so precious. What a wonderful memory to have. Her smile is amazing, Michele. I say that every time I see it. There is something in her spirit that shines through in her smile. I hope your day was wonderful!!

Annie said...

your post brought tears to my eyes - tears of joy for you and your beautiful daughters. Happy Thanksgiving.

Bevie Pearl said...

OMG!! I am so happy for you!! What a life moment to share with us. I started crying as I read your story.
I am so thankful to know you. so very very thankful.

Sharon said...

It sure looks like Cortney had a great time. Next thing you know you will be ordering breakfast in bed!!

Jen said...

I worked with special needs children for the last 4 years of my life, and that truly is where my heart lies, and your story about Courtney, brought tears to my eyes. I love children, but special needs kiddos just have an extra special place in my heart, and your story is one of such success for you and your family, and incredible memory for you to share forever. I have decided to go back to school to become a PT assistant, so that I can continue to work the most incredible children. Thank you for putting a smile on my face today.

dasimonds said...

Love the pictures..You both look so happy ! I am glad to hear that you had this wonderful time shared together. A truely blessed Thanksgiving moment..great memories.

Dee

Kelly said...

Oh Michele I am so happy for you!!!What a great moment!! I love when our blessings shine through so clearly! Well off to dry my eyes now.Thanks for sharing with us!

Anonymous said...

That story gave me goosebumps and what fantastic pictures. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wendy said...

This is such a sweet story! Definitely sounds like a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am glad you had pictures to capture those moments. This touches my heart. Thanks for sharing.

My Paper World said...

Thank you for sharing such a sweet story.Im so glad that you had a wonderful time cooking together,the photos look fab!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this with us! You and your daughter are beautiful. I can't wait to see the scrapbook pages you make with these photos!

Rose Ann said...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving memory for you to have and share! Thank you! I love the photos! :D

Marja Sch said...

What a wonderful story and lovely pictures. Hope you have many more!!

Dawn Wheeler said...

Wow what a special moment togeather ,glad you had such a special thanks giving ,Dawnx

Shabbychick Junk said...

HOW COOL IS THIS! I love that you guys got it captured on camera...she looks like she's having a blast! GO CHEF COURTNEY!

Marlou McAlees said...

what a blessing Michelle , The Lord is really good and im delighted that you had such a blessed Thanksgiving togther and many more in future, hugzzz xx

emilia in Taiwan said...

This is great! I am so moved to read this post. You will have more fun cooking with Cortney!

Pegg S said...

What a wonderful Thanksgiving for you and your family!! You and your daughter look so happy sharing this time together!!

Tee said...

I exactly know how you feel. I am a physical therapist and at one point of time, I was working for a clinic exclusively for special children. And it was tiring working with them, having to teach them the same exercises, same activities day after day. They would test my patience to the max..but when out of the blue they would look up and smile or do something without being told, it would just make me cry. Sometimes I felt they used to tease me by refusing to do anything and then when I would be upset, they would just smile hold my hand and finish the activity.
I was almost like an adoptive mother to them. Finally the crying part got to me, and I had to quit.

But I really appreciate your patience. Working 8 hours a day and 24 hours is very different. And I salute you all the same! {{{{HUGS}}}

Suzy said...

This is the BEST post! I am so happy for you and Cortney! There is a fantastic quote by Cesare Pavese: "We do not remember days, we remember moments."

Anonymous said...

What a blessing! Glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving day! Kyle did a great job taking the pic's. :o)

sophia landry said...

I am so happy that you were able to share this wonderful moment with your daughter. So often I take these things for granted. It makes you step back and appreciate these moments all the more. I hope that you can enjoy many more moments like this with your daughter!

michelle g. said...

Thank you for sharing this special moment with all of us. It was really moving to read, what a blessed Thanksgiving!

Courtney said...

You just gave me warm fuzzies all over and a smile on my face!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Mrs. Nancy G said...

That is so heart warming Michele. Thanks for sharing.

:-)

What a blessing.

Smiles,
NG.

Crafty Connie said...

Thank you for sharing your special Thanksgiving moment, it really was a heartwarming story. Can't wait to see the scrapbook page with those pictures.