Tanner rarely gets to drink soda. Recently, while my back was turned, he snuck a big bottle of Pepsi from the fridge and just started chugging away. I think he was startled by the carbonation!
Each night I give Tanner his Medications. They help him sleep, they help him not be so crazy. There is a stretch of time when he vacillates between being drugged and being asleep. His eyes start getting glassy and he just lays there contemplating things. Today he was thinking about his hand and how cool it is.
Now that school is over for the year Hailey wanted to give me a visual example of her accomplishments this year. She brought out index cards of every medical term she has learned and memorized. She wanted to burn them but I assured her that her knowledge is still quite inadequate.
Sometimes we all hear jokes about a person being "special" or "rides the short bus" or " isn't all there". Well, that kind of describes my Tanner although he is a real person. My Tanner is sweet, affectionate and forgiving. Many times I am unkind to him because he is so messy, so difficult and so time consuming. But before I know it, he is right by my side giving me a hug or gently touching my face. He looks into my eyes with a sincerity unmatched by anyone I have ever known. It is at these moments that I feel such an intense love for this boy. I just poke him in the tummy and he laughs heartily, forgetting that I was ever mad at him in the first place. So, through all the tough spots and sacrifices we make as a family, Tanner adds a unique element to our lives....he makes us admirable.
hailey (18 yrs)
HAILEY
Whenever I think of Hailey, I picture a playful little ten year old. Except these days she is so grown up and responsible I hardly give her the credibility she deserves. Hailey handles this family with a maturity that I respect so much. She is a rock. And although I never need to worry about her I almost wish she needed me more than I need her.