The LIST: Raising A Son With Special Needs

This list actually happened.  Just the other day, 15 of us sat around a long, rectangular table, and wrote what we liked and admired about Willie. The fresh, new Sharpies combined with the different color sticky notes made this exercise even more precious then it already was. It felt festive! This was the standard process for the beginning of all new student's Biographical Timelines at Soltane. The meeting lasted 4 hours. More on that in another post.

So we sat around this table, scribbling away with our perfect Sharpies.  Every now and then we would look up at one another or stare into space for inspiration.  The room was silent except for the precious documenting. It was genuine and inspiring as everyone kept going and going, recording never ending things they liked and admired about my Willie. But this wasn't even the best part.

After the piles were gathered, the Facilitator of the meeting said something like "this is a great indication of Willie and his strengths, as there are so many sticky notes." The people around the table, except for myself and 2 others, had only known Willie for 5 short weeks.  Yet they all seemed driven to get down on paper what can make him so delightful.  I will never forget the kindness and love in the room that day, even before those sticky notes were revealed.

Next, this wise Facilitator read each and every note with great expression and even started grouping the common themes.  We all just smiled and beamed with positivity.  I know I blushed, as this took what felt like a very long time and was so personal.  All of Willie's strengths read aloud and then stuck to a large paper for the group to  know, process, and inhale.  It was overwhelming and humbling. And I joked that we didn't need to have the next 4 hour meeting after all, as everyone already knew Willie so well.  The group laughed.

I have imbedded those 30 minutes into my heart and soul forever.  I catch myself revisiting this list more often then not, to remind me that Willie has many fabulous qualities indeed. Perhaps that was the purpose of the list?