Window to His Soul

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, Fun, gratitude, growth mindset, Parenting, Positive Thinking, schoolTags:, , , , , , , , , ,

Art is healing, inspiring, a form of self expression and for caregivers, a glimpse inside their children’s thoughts.

Before Christmas break, T’s teacher sent home his fall school work, which included his journal.

This past week, I started reading his daily journal entries and they are a delight.

I remember my very first journal, a yellow notebook Mrs Smith gave me in Grade 3, and we had 15 minutes every day to write in it.

Journal writing became a favourite activity, through to Grade 6, and I easily filled the pages.

It helped me discover an early love for writing and I keep those worn journals in storage.

In contrast, writing has never been an interest for T, so it’s nice to get a look into how he expresses his thoughts.

I love this one above about him wanting to be a doctor (typos edited):

“The job I want to have is a doctor. I want to be a good person and save people. So they’re not in danger. So they’re not sick. So they feel better again. I want them to feel healthy and so they are healthy. I want people to have a long and healthy life with their friends and family.”

I read the above on Tuesday, the day before Ma’s 1-year death anniversary. She’s always wanted a doctor in the family – and maybe her 蔡安禄 (T’s Chinese name) will make her wish come true. 😊

Then there’s this lovely one below, titled “Helping Others” (typos edited) showing us his caring heart:

“I can help someone by standing up for other people that are being bullied by others. If someone is pushed down, I can help them up. If someone is hurt, give them some ice and tell a teacher. If someone is alone, play with them or talk or even tell what’s wrong or also walk with them too. I can also help if they are sad. You can help them feel better by telling about their feelings that will make them feel better.” 🥹

This one below (typos edited) about what he thinks is the hardest job in the world made me smile.

“The hardest job in the world is a fisherman, because they have to wake up very early and go to sea. They have to catch thousands of fish to sell it to stores. They have to sell enough fish to pay their bills and to pay their boats. They have to also pay their workers.”

Glad to know T understands basic economics! 😆

I am diligent about keeping T’s work over the years – writing, artwork, tests, etc.

They are priceless and capture moments in time and his incremental growth.

Looking at his journal entries made me think about the pandemic years of virtual schooling when I nearly institutionalized myself when teaching T how to print letters using an app called Handwriting Without Tears (oh, there were many tears) and the year after when he started to learn to write simple sentences.

T’s penmanship needs improvement. Is he writing at grade level? Probably behind. But we are moving at his pace – and that’s ok.

Like an archaeologist tracing the evolution of society through uncovered artifacts, T’s invaluable school work helps us trace, celebrate and preserve his journey and growth – and gives us motivation and hope about what are yet to come.

Photo at top: T’s melted bead art created using a bead art set received for Christmas. More about this in a future post.

38 thoughts on “Window to His Soul”

    1. The childhood innocence is indeed what makes these journal entries to precious to me. And yes, a healthcare worker’s life can indeed be hard, as you know all too well! Thanks Serena! 😊

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  6. That’s neat how you’ve kept your journals from when you were a kid. Have you ever gone through them now that you’re older? I’m noticing a common theme with T’s journal entries. He seems very focused on helping people, which is very sweet. It’s great that you’re keeping some of his work over the years. My mom did something similar, which I really appreciate.

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    1. Thanks Linda. 😊 We recently did a declutter and I looked through the old journal entries. Always a joy and a cringe reading them. 😆 It’s nice that your mom kept your old work and I bet that you and K will do the same for M!

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  8. Oh this is lovely. I’m glad you decided to keep T’s journal entries because aren’t they a beautiful window to his mind and heart? After my mom passed away, when I was going through all of her belongings to see what I could bring back to Jakarta and what I could give others, there was one particular item that made me happy. I found her handwritten recipes and a few journal entries. Seeing them really warmed my heart, realizing that there is something about her that I had recognized since I was little that I could keep: her handwriting. T’s handwritten journal is priceless!

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    1. Thanks Bama! That is so sweet and touching about your mom. 😊 I am glad that you found them and can keep them as a priceless memory of your mom. It really is the personal things that we hang onto in the long run, isn’t it? 💕🙏

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  9. I love these beautiful entries. T has such a big heart! I’m sure he’ll help many – he has so many great suggestions as to how!

    And your comment about “nearly institutionalizing yourself” – oh, so spot on. The things we sweat trying to help – it’s hard to have perspective. I think his handwriting looks great! Nice work helping him get there, Ab!

    Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Wynne! 😊 He does have a big heart and I remind myself this when he’s swearing or having a full blown meltdown. 😆

      Too bad the sweat we sweat from parenting doesn’t help with losing calories. I’d be model thin by now. 😆

      Have a great week to you three and pets as well!

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    1. Thanks Vickie. 😊 That is so very kind of you to say. I do treasure these and will definitely hang onto these. I know he’ll appreciate seeing these with adult eyes one day. 🙏

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  12. this is such a treasure, ab! his writing made me laugh and cry. the journal is a glimpse inside and how he sees the world, even when he may not be showing it on the outside. you both must be so very proud of your son.

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    1. Thanks Beth. 😊 Whether it’s intentional on his part or not, he definitely made me smile, laugh and tear up too. I love seeing the world through his eyes and those eyes now include his written word. 💕🙏

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  13. Such wonderful items to hold onto for T and for his dads to look back on. Whether the spelling and penmanship are there or not his thoughts are organized and he clearly has a POV about his topics. He is a “thinker” and I love that. Did he design his bead art on his own? It looks life a version of Minecraft to me. (I only suggest that because my grands were obsessed with that for a long time) Even if he had a bit of help this boy is visually aware and quite capable with design. T is going to do amazing things as he gets older.

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    1. Thanks Deb. 😊 These are treasures I keep and look forward to revisiting these over the years with him. I appreciate your insight. I agree the thinking part is there, which I do see in his vocal expression – along with very colourful language 😆 – and it’s to see him forming that through his written expression too.

      The melted bead art was designed by him using a Fuse Beads Kit we got him for Christmas (see link below). It’s been a good purchase as he loves it and can have focused time away from the screens on it. 😊 He has quite the eye for design. All him!

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  14. These journal entries are wonderful. I also wanted to add: I am not a physician, but I have been published alongside physicians in two medical journals (JAMA Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) and my handwriting has not improved much since elementary school. That has, at least, been one feature of my disability that has never held me back. 🙂

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    1. Erid, it is very nice to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words. 😊 It’s always inspiring and motivating to hear from someone with similar lived experience who is doing well. 😊

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