Zach's Christmas List

For a number of years Debby and I have struggled to figure out what to get Zach for his birthday and Christmas.  As a parent you want to get things your child wants, likes and will enjoy, for those special occasions otherwise it is not a very good or memorable moment for them.  Our dilemma was based on two distinct reasons. First, Zach could not verbalize to us what he wanted and so it was a guessing game.  Second, we were unsure if he would actually like or know how to use what we got him. 

Over the years we had some significant hits and some definitive misses.  We tried some toys, but it became frustrating as a parent to see him struggle to understand the concept of what he was suppose to do with it and eventually he would chuck it aside.  For whatever reason we also tried getting him things that would be therapeutic and he would like to play with.  I remember one year we got him a couple of 2 to 3 pound medicine balls, yoga bricks and balancing disk, so he could use it as an obstacle course with the hope that he would stop using our furniture. Needless to say a young child is not very interested in exercise equipment at age 7, 8 and 9.  Now that I look back on it, maybe Debby and I were trying to exercise vicariously through our son or subconsciously we wanted him to be a Pilates instructor in the future. 

In recent years, Zach’s continued improvement of his communication skills, verbal and written, has made buying gifts for him a lot easier.  The last couple of years he hand wrote a list of things he wanted for his birthday and Christmas.  The majority of things on the list were age appropriate and items I would expect someone of his age to ask for. Zach has also been working on his typing skills with his occupational therapists and this year he decided to type out his Christmas list.  Then after he printed out the Christmas list he hand wrote across the top, “Dear Santa please bring my stuff.”  This was the first year in which Debby and I did not have to scratch our heads or bang it against a concrete wall wondering what to get Zach. 

 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year!!!  

Connecticut Tragedy

Unless you live in a remote part of planet earth with no communication with the outside world you have probably heard about the devastating tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14^th.  Just prior to 9:30 am, a 20 year-old male stormed into an elementary school and opened fire on students and staff resulting in the death of 20 students and 6 others.  This was the second deadliest school shooting in United States history behind the incident that occurred at Virginia Tech in 2007, but the one in Newtown is arguably the most shocking due to the young age of the majority of the victims.

As a society we always seem to be looking for the answer of why such an incident happens and the answer to that inquiry is not answered until several weeks later once law enforcement completes their investigation, but in the end there is no logical or rational answer that can explain it.  A lot of people have commented that they cannot believe that such an incident happened in a place like Newtown, Connecticut where the population is approximately 27,000. The fact of the matter is regardless of where you live in America and how safe you may feel today does not immune you from a tragedy happening to you or your community tomorrow.  Unfortunately there are all kinds of weapons that are easily accessible in our culture and a minority of people who feel the need to commit such heinous acts that lacks any logical explanation. 

As a society we must be vigilante as we conduct our lives without being completely paranoid and protect our loved ones without feeling the need to barricade ourselves from the potential harm that we could be exposed to on a daily basis.  Not knowing what each day may bring to our lives, tragedy or triumph, always tell your kids, spouse and others close to you how much they mean to you today, because tomorrow it all could be taken from you by some random act of violence or accident. 

Being a native New Englander my heart is full of sorrow and sadness today just like everyone else’s in the world over this senseless tragedy.  Thoughts and prayers to all the victims and their families.