We remind our little guy that he is stronger and braver than the monsters in his head. During a recent Sunday morning, around 1:30, I was woken up by the hubby having a fit. T had turned on all the lights in the house, downstairs included, and was up playing with his toys – becauseContinue reading “The Darkest Dark”
Tag Archives: gratitude
Life is a Gift
Live and love as if it’s your first and last day on Earth. Our caring, curious, funny and not-so-little guy turned 9 this weekend. How is that possible?! The past year brought adventures and hard losses and through it all, he steps forward with his fun-seeking, resilient and endlessly energetic spirit. Our consecutive hard lossesContinue reading “Life is a Gift”
A Thousand Words
Sometimes, a picture sums up life’s depth of emotions better than words ever could. Yesterday, we had lunch with family to celebrate Ma and my aunt’s birthdays. Ma’s absence was noticeable. Afterwards, my uncle, recently returned from the Philippines, gave me Ma’s urn. It was a strange feeling holding it in my hands. The logicalContinue reading “A Thousand Words”
Ray of Light
We took T to his first concert, Madonna’s Celebration Tour, and it provided a needed holiday. Our family had a challenging start to 2024 and this show was a ray of light during gray days. We prepped T for his first concert by looking at photos of the venue and show and speaking about whatContinue reading “Ray of Light”
Personal Affection Day
On Friday, T asked to stay home instead of going to daycare for PA Day. “I just need a break,” he said. On Professional Activity (PA) Days, kids get a day off school and teachers focus on professional learning. My first instinct to T’s request was no. The hubby and I had work, remotely atContinue reading “Personal Affection Day”
The Oldest Chinatown in the World
I recently visited my childhood neighbourhood in the Philippines, 35 years after moving away. Over the holidays, I unexpectedly flew to Manila after Ma fell ill and with a very sad outcome. After Ma was admitted to ICU, I could no longer visit her. So, with thanks to uncles, I visited Binondo, the neighbourhood myContinue reading “The Oldest Chinatown in the World”
Fighting Spirit
Grit, resilience and work ethic are wonderful lessons I learned from Ma. I thought about times she demonstrated them during my recent unexpected visit to the Philippines, as she battled for her life. At 15, she left her home in the province to move to the city in Manila to attend university – working tutoringContinue reading “Fighting Spirit”
The Gift of the Redo
Christmas is a time for forgiveness and it is the kindest gift one could give and receive. When we were having rough patches this fall with T – a part of the FASD parenting life – we met with our developmental pediatrician, who has been supporting T since he was 18 months. In addition toContinue reading “The Gift of the Redo”
“I Believe in the Power of You and I”
We attended T’s wonderful school holiday concert this week and it moved me to tears. The school concert was the first since the pandemic, and T and the kids did such a great job. It brought back wonderful memories of holiday and Spring concerts, pre pandemic, when T was in preschool and kindergarten. I rememberContinue reading ““I Believe in the Power of You and I””
In the Dog House
In my next life, I want to be a therapy dog. I took part of Friday off to take T to a PA Day paw therapy program hosted by the amazing Surrey Place team as part of their ongoing services for children with FASD and caregivers. T and I loved the horse therapy program theyContinue reading “In the Dog House”
The Writing Parlour
Helping my third grader build writing skills is like making pizza; layer one ingredient on at a time. The process sometimes feels like a struggle with a disability like FASD layered on top – but it nonetheless feels like I’m watching something special grow from infancy. It brings back fond memories of the early days,Continue reading “The Writing Parlour”
Why Stories Matter
Stories and personal testimony can inform, inspire and be a lifeline to someone. December 1 marks the fourth anniversary of this blog and my first post, introducing T’s prognosis and our family. I started my blog as a way to process my thoughts on the FASD parenting journey and to raise awareness and advocate forContinue reading “Why Stories Matter”
Big Brother
This is the start of a beautiful friendship. Last fall, T’s child and youth worker made the excellent suggestion to look into a Big Brother-style mentorship program for T. I believe in mentorship and surrounding T with positive influences is important, because making friends is hard for kids with FASD. Despite best efforts, we haveContinue reading “Big Brother”
Love and Karma
The energy we send into the universe is the energy we invite into our lives. I found this belief challenged the past few weeks, because of T’s chaos – meltdowns, foul language, rude attitude, defiant behaviour at school. It was draining – and at one point, I told the hubby I did not have theContinue reading “Love and Karma”
Smells Like Teen Spirit
A creature is growing in our home that is more horrifying than the supernatural or undead. Saturday morning, I was enjoying coffee in the dining room when I heard the hubby say with alarm, “Oh my God, T, you’re turning.” It was a full moon on Halloween weekend. Did we have a werewolf in ourContinue reading “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Enjoy the Silence
I’m going to tell you a secret: It’s ok to say no, to put your needs first, to self indulge. It’s become a morbid joke that when I plan self care time, something bad happens. Christmas 2019: T got sick for a week. Christmas 2020: Ma had a nearly life-ending stroke on the first dayContinue reading “Enjoy the Silence”
Horsing Around
The best things in life are not free. Thanksgiving a year ago vs today, the dinner table is cozier and I am reminded how life flies by. Friday was a PA Day and I took T to a fun and free activity organized by Surrey Place, the amazing organization that has supported our family sinceContinue reading “Horsing Around”
Cooking for the Soul: A Second Helping
In Chinese culture, we eat noodles during birthdays as it symbolizes long life. When I watch T have instant noodles or spaghetti, two of the handful of things our selective eater will have, I joke it’s my life force he’s slurping away. I often write about the importance of self care in the marathon journeyContinue reading “Cooking for the Soul: A Second Helping”
Uplift through Testimony
There is power and purpose in sharing stories. One voice can join a chorus to make a difference. This week, I joined a director from the Surrey Place to make a deputation to our school board, the largest school board in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Our goal was to raiseContinue reading “Uplift through Testimony”
The Power of Yet
T asked the lifeguard if he could try the deep end test. It was his first-ever attempt. Would he make it? I thought about this recent outing at the community pool, as it’s goal-setting time for the school year. This year, I love how T’s teacher included the kids in the process, using the PowerContinue reading “The Power of Yet”
My Life With T 