In Michael's Honor

On this anniversary of Michael Jackson's tragic death, I would like to pay respect to his children. I hope that this past year found them still able to have moments of joy, of play, of just being a kid and that somehow they are making it after the loss of such a loving father.

Immediately following his death, there was so much speculation that the three children weren't truly "his." There were rumors swirling about who the parents of these beautiful children really were. There seemed to be no regard that these children were grieving their father, that they were old enough to read, to hear the news, to go on the Internet and view all the vicious accusations. Hopefully they were wise enough to ignore it.

But as all my friends who were lovingly adopted would agree, regardless of anything else, of course, they are Michael's children. The love shared between a parent and child is the only measure of any importance. Indeed, Paris' sweet words at Michael's funeral said everything: "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine."

So my heart goes out to those children who have to go without that rare beast (a good father) and my prayers are with them that they are surrounded by love on par with what they had grown accustomed.

And to any skeptics as to whose genes were involved? The attached photos should diminish any doubts, at least as far as Blanket goes. Somehow I think the world just went about accusing Michael of thousands of things of which he was completely innocent and I'm not entirely sure why. My wish for our world, in honor of Michael Jackson's sweet legacy, is that we, collectively and individually, allow the good and innocent things in this world be just that and maybe even help them better their cause.

Michael's cause was love. Let it be.

One Mother's Love

This is a post from Facebook that I took from my dear friend. Even if you don't know someone who has dealt with the challenges of autism and cannot relate to that, as a mother (or someone who has HAD a mother) you can certainly understand the devotion, pure love, tenacity, faith and never-ending hope that she displays. She is the miracle in this as much as God, as much as her child. She is one of the things that is so very right in this world. Read on:

I am in the midst of a miracle, friends! You are probably aware that my daughter, Emma, has autism. She is nine and has been non-verbal and has had low communication skills since she was 2 1/2. Recently I have been fascinated by Tito and others and reading up and researching a little bit on IPM (Informative Pointing Method) used by Soma (Tito's mom) and which is on the Strange Son website. I have been working on having Emma type "I want candy" when she wants it. It has been pretty hand-over-hand, but the other day I noticed that she was really focusing and leading the way. In IPM, they say to sit on the right hand side of the child and have them use their right hand. You place your hand on theirs for support and pressure when necessary. They can keep their stimm in their left hand. I started asking her questions "Do you want another piece of candy?"
She typed "Yes". Am I imagining this?!

I had not even been sure that she could spell! We were in the zone, so I asked her if I could have a piece and she typed yes again. I asked her whose party we were going to and she typed "Vivis", the name of the little girl who was having her party that afternoon. I then asked her what color her toenails were and she typed "blue".!!!!!!!

We started jumping up and down. I saw the elation in her eyes as well. We were both getting this. We shared in this together.

Since Saturday, I have found out a few things.

Me: What's you favorite color?
Emma: yellow ( I had always thought it was purple, so I asked her twice)

Me: What did you have for lunch today?
Emma: pitza

Me: What kind of pet would you like to have?
Emma: (she had a hard time spelling this so I finished it. Wasn't sure what she was going for and thought she was just touching random letters at first) orangutang

Me: ( About her new pic by Renee) How do you think you look in this picture?
Emma: I think I look pretty (yes, the whole sentence!)

I am beyond amazed!! What else will I learn about her and where will this lead? I have so much hope. It's hit or miss and she needs to be looking and attentive, but WOW!! I have no words for this one, except maybe just PRAISE GOD!!!!

Love, Me

This one is for the ladies, I suppose. Though I cannot say if the gentlemen have the same issue. Perhaps they do, but they have learned to just keep it on the D.L. Regardless, since I've only been a woman in this lifetime, I can only speak with authority from a girl's perspective.

Think about this one for a second:
Do you treat yourself as well as you treat your best friend?
How about as well as you treat your general friends? Acquaintances? Your dog?

Yes?
Truly?

Because I know so many absolutely gorgeous women that have rarely, if ever, seen how beautiful they are. This quest for outer beauty drives so many of us to attempt to achieve an ever-impossible level of perfection, ignoring any inner glow we might cultivate. Too heavy, we diet. Now skinny, we get breast implants. We pluck, dye, microdermabrase, inject, wax, tan, sweat, starve, and generally abuse ourselves without the slightest second thought. Yet we're never content with the results. We always find more flaws.

And here's why I asked the friend question. Could you even remotely fathom telling your friend "Before you had your daughter, you were so much skinnier. You were also younger, prettier, more interesting and your boobs were perky. And while we're at it, is that a pimple on your nose?" I mean, seriously! We would never be as abusive to a friend as we are to ourselves.

Oh, and I am superiorly criminal of this. Or was anyway. Now I see photos from when I was young and think "How could I have even thought those horribly self-destructive insults!" I have vowed that from now on I shall see the outer beauty I still maintain, the inner beauty I continue to gain and to be a good friend to that gal in the mirror.

You should too - because I guarantee you, you ARE beautiful!

KEC