The Never Normal

This living stuff can get pretty strange. I went to lunch with friend K on Monday, and we were talking about how neither of us has been feeling particularly good about herself lately. I said, “You know I never was a pretty girl, but lately I just feel like I’m getting uglier and uglier as I get older.”

The next day, yesterday, Jonah got off the bus and wanted to just hang out on the front porch, so I let him. I sat next to him and he put his face into mine with a big smile, rubbing his little nose into mine and giving me sweet kisses. He is always lovey but he was being particularly affectionate. So I said “do you love mama?” and I swear my child looked at me and said “mommm–mommmmm, yuh pitty.”

This is a kid who can’t even say mama with any regularity, let alone attempt a sentence — and –oh my God– did he just tell me I am pretty???!!!

I ran inside the house and grabbed the phone and called my mother.  Jonah said “mommm-mommmm” again for her on the phone, and we were both practically in tears.  Of course he wouldn’t say “pitty” again, but I don’t care.  He said it and it was awesome and he seems so much more mature lately, so happy and playful and loving.  This morning was student recognition day at his school, and they brought each student up to the front and gave him or her individual accolades and a little certificate.  My mom came with me and Jonah was very cute.  He got recognition for his exuberant spirit and progress with PECS.

Last week they took the kids to a camp and at one point they let them dangle their feet in the pond there….and Jonah jumped right in, right up to his waist, and cheered and clapped.  That’s my boy.   Unafraid and adventurous.  Sweet and smart.

And just when I most needed to feel pretty, he told me I was!

Oh, and we had Jonah’s blood tested recently for both mercury and lead. We needed to do it to put our minds at rest…..and the results? No mercury at all, not even a trace — and lead in the normal level range.

Minds officially at rest!