Noah's Army: Noah's Laugh

Prayer Requests

UPDATED 08/20/12

1. Please pray that we can continue to get our new house set up for all of Noah's needs and that we can find all the volunteers we needs to do Noah's program (this is always a big, slow process when we move).

2. Physiology (meaning his health and his body systems all working together well) has always been Noah's number one problem. This continues to be a major issue keeping Noah from doing an effective program.

3. Our other big request is for Noah's hip. Noah's out-of-joint left hip is really holding him back. He needs range of motion, and he needs the muscles that are too tight to loosen up and the loose muscles to tighten up and get bigger. Pray for a new type of physical therapy we are started specifically to help the hip.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Noah's Laugh

Later today I'm going to post some Halloween pictures of two very special Jedi, but this morning I wanted to say a little bit about what's on my heart. It has to do with enjoying each of your kids for how very special they are. Sometimes you have to find the way in which they are special because it is not immediately obvious.

Noah is not ever likely to be a star quarterback (though -- you know me -- I haven't ruled out that possibility ;-). And even though he is smart beyond belief, I worry that he won't gain enough outward expression to show it to the world. I could make a very long list of all the things Noah can't do (but since I never focus on those, I ain't gonna even for you).

However, Noah has a laugh that, I am convinced, could bring about world peace. It fills me and all those who know him (and I mean really know him) with unspeakable joy. When you make him laugh, it bursts forth as if he's been holding it in all day just waiting for the opportunity to let it escape.

Sometimes, when things aren't going just right, I make him laugh just to realize how bright a place the world really can be. And my favorite way to "make" him laugh is for Eli to walk by and I say, "Eli, go make Noah laugh for me." He does it very happily -- and effectively.

And partly because of his brother, Eli has a heart that defies belief in one so young. So even though Noah can do some amazing things -- things that defy medical expectations again and again. It is something very simple that makes him special.

Look for that special thing in your child, even if it is difficult to find (if you don't get that last part, you don't have a child with special needs). It might be something completely different, but I bet it brings you joy all the same.