This Little Light of Mine

May 14, 2015 - the third annual National Apraxia Awareness Day. I sit here trying to wind down after a hectic day filled with love and support for Grant and for Childhood Apraxia of Speech. I think about when this apraxia journey first began over 3.5 years ago, and I sit in amazement. everything has changed - for the better, of course. Grant's speech has greatly improved. I have gained a great deal of knowledge about apraxia and have learned to be a better advocate for Grant as a result. Grant has taught me endurance, commitment, dedication, resilience and love like I had never imagined. there are days where I hate apraxia, but not today. because of apraxia, today I felt love and support from far and wide, and for that I am humbled and blessed. However, there is one thing that has not changed. That is the light that shines within Grant. Since he was born, there has been something special about him. As an infant, he had the ability to charm young and old with his sparkling blue eyes and oh so precious dimples. As a toddler, he was able to bring comfort to those during the most difficult of times - with just his presence. Now as a child, he loves like no other and spreads happiness and joy far and wide with his infectious squealing laugh and freckled smile saturated with orneriness. He touches so many using so little words, but there's this light... At his kindergarten graduation, I watched in anticipation (reference the shepherd who stole the show post). Grant and his classmates were on stage performing to two songs. I wondered how he would do. Would we have a repeat performance of the leaping shepherd? Would he face forward the whole time? Would he be able to do the motions or mouth any of the words to the song? What I witnessed that night was one of the most breath taking performances. I can't tell you what the second song of the program was because I still had tears in my eyes from the first one and was still in awe of the revelation that came to me through Grant's performance. You see, the first song was "This Little Light of Mine". Each child held a battery operated tea light candle in their hands as they sang. They were supposed to hold it high up in their hands, but not Grant. He held his little light shining close to his heart. It matched the light that he has coming from within. I know I need to take more time to just step back and see. Grant's little light may not shine in the way his classmates' do, but it shines and it shines perfectly his way. Oh that boy... I love him so!