Things That Keep Me Going Part Deux: Unexpected Gestures

You know that Oprah Winfrey thing where you are supposed to buy a stranger's groceries in line behind you or pay someone's tolls at the toll booth, etc? I really don't know anything about this because watching television hasn't made its way into the Morphet rhythm of life unless it is a Thomas the Train or Tinker Bell video. I have heard some mention of it in the discourse of our lives.

Well, anyhow, the notion of this is a gesture offered to another party just because. The concept sounded nice, but my engineering sensibilities told me that I would be better off just giving to charity.

But indeed, I have been touched by unexpected gestures. In fact, one such gesture was this weekend. But it wasn't the type to keep me going. It was the type that made me want to turn vigilante. If you haven't guessed off of reading this blog yet, Steve and I have the luck of a black cat. Well, you know how they say "The Luck of the Irish"? I always felt that I had "The Luck of the Polish" and one high level overview of the what Poland has gone through since its existence should pretty much tell you that we don't get many freebies.

On the way to the first soccer practice this weekend, Sophie went out to the car with her father to find Steve's car with a vulgar drawing on it and something written that we were unable to read. It was (thankfully?) done in silly string. Steve was irate. There has been an array of vandalism in the neighborhood - and there are a round of usual suspects. They have normally been using spray paint and occasionally blowing out windows so I guess in some ways we were lucky. Having my lovely 6 year old discover this, however, was far from lucky. She wanted to know what it was on the car. And then she wanted to know why someone would do this to us.

Off Steve and Sophia went to soccer, and off I went to document what happened contact officials and the local neighborhood watch group. That's all I do. Paperwork. Emails. Phone calls. This wouldn't bother me as much if it was either more positive or productive, but more often than not they aren't. Faith in God is waning. I am taking every avenue and pursuing it, and with all the leads lately, there has been little success. Make that none actually. I keep on trying, I just don't see why I should believe that God is involved in any of this because all he is doing is giving us a hard time if so. All the hard work with no pay off is lessening my ability to trust others. And I really have been going to ridiculous ends to try and get Zach help (services) with little success. (Another post)

So, why don't I just totally throw in the towel? Because even though the people who should be helping us aren't, there have been spectacular people along the way who have overwhelmed us with the most amazing and unexpected gestures. Good ones that is.

Recently, a dear friend and single mother to a child with an ASD gave us her son's hand me downs. The clothes were beautiful! I cannot get over what a relief it was since I haven't been shopping for clothes for the kids in so long (problems with time and finances....). Zach is set for this fall and winter for sure! Now if only I could find someone to get hand me downs from for Sophie! My mother in law and I couldn't believe how much there was.

Then there has been an agency who has temporarily given us some funding to pay for a paraprofessional to come to our house and help out while we are working out with the school district getting Zach services.

Then there is a dear old surrogate Uncle and Aunt who, after witnessing Zach and the loaned iPad, got him one! This has had such a significant effect on our family. It is just tremendous! I cannot thank Aunt Gail and Uncle Ron enough for this gift. Since witnessing Zach and this device - 7 other families we have had contact with have gone out and purchased these and told us their children are very responsive to them as well. The form factor seems to be making all the difference - they are larger than the iPod which seem to help with motor skill issues. I have emailed Steve Jobs regarding promoting these devices for special needs families - even sent him video - but no response so far.

And then there is a couple in Connecticut, an aunt and uncle of a friend, who will be hosting us when we take Zach to his next evaluation at Yale. Strangers to us, not obligated at all, yet so kind to open their home to us.

All of these gestures are amazing - and have given me some faith in people when I feel like we have been forsaken by so many others. The journey seems so long right now. We are grateful to those who have surprised us with their benevolence. They remind me of the water stops along the road where volunteers hand you cups of water that might not hydrate you fully, but offer you enough to get through the next leg of the race.