(First day of kindergarten - only 2 boys in the class)
Wil has a million friends, perhaps more than his "fair share," but that doesn't make saying goodbye to this one, any easier.
Ian will be heading off to the University of Montana this morning. He made sure to pick up a Grizzlies T-shirt for Wil when he went to visit, and intuitively, Wil put it on yesterday, not realizing that would be the very day he said goodbye.
The day was hot, super hot, near 100. I'd lowered the shades on one side of the living room in the morning, to keep the morning sun out. As the sun moved to the front of the house, Wil lowered that side, making a cave-like effect.
I hated it.
Wil loved it.
As the sun went down, I tried to raise the blinds more than once, he wouldn't hear of it.
I tried to turn on a lamp.
No.
Wil had already had an unusual evening in that he'd gone to the mall with three friends. When they came back to our house, he entertained them in the darkened living room. They left, he was humming and stimming in the living room, decompressing and getting ready for bed, when I got this text from dear, sweet, how-will-we-live-without-him, Ian:
Ian showed up in a car with three other friends, two newish, and another dear friend that has also been in school with Wil since kindergarten, Claire P. I wanted to stay downstairs, hang out, turn on the lights, open the shades and hear the banter, but he wanted privacy with his friends, and deserved that, so I poured myself a G & T and went upstairs. Looking out my window while distracting myself on Facebook, I saw another car pull up. Three more friends, including one in Wil's special program from high school.
There is something very right in the world, when six "typicals" make it a point to spend time with their very dear friends, who just happen to have special needs, before heading off to college.
The room may have been darker than I would have liked it to be, but the world isn't. There is every reason to believe this next generation is kind, considerate, loving, selfless, compassionate, and good.
Thank you, friends, for giving us all reason to believe in the light.
13 comments:
I am so happy for Wil and for you -- it is a reminder--the power of friendship, through thick and thin across the miles. What a marvelous day to witness.
Now you've done it. I'm blubbering.
Love.
Beautiful! God is Good,,,,,
beautiful, every all of it. <3
To believe in the light and the ability to appreciate all the wonderfulness found in the shadows.
So beautiful, even through my teared up eyes!
Tears. At work. On my cheeks. Don't forget for a minute that this speaks just as much to who Wil and you are as it does to his lovely friends. xo
Was it hard to learn to let go? To just believe that the right things would happen? I struggle with this and just wonder if you ever do. Wil is so lucky to have you as his mom and vice versa. I came across your book on my bookshelf just yesterday and thought of you two.
Sounds to me like that room was full of light.....
Believe in people. We are all capable of so much when we open ourselves up to the power of connection. This is such a lovely story, Carrie.
love. so much love. xoxo
I'm sitting here crying. What a beautiful world you and Wil have created. What wonderful people.
(And I love that you bring a g & t up to your room).
Yup, sobbing. I've said it before and I'll say it again - you have worked so hard to build this world for Wil and it has paid off again and again. Such love. You are a shining example for us all.
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