Wednesday, March 20, 2019

IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT…

Clap your hands.

I have been singing this ditty to my daughter, Ellen since she was a little pup. It was something I learned from the speech therapy they tried at the agency a long time ago and due to failure to speak, was abandoned.

Today is Ellen’s birthday. At her age, she should be approaching middle age with an eye on being a grandparent someday. She should also be reaping the rewards of a college education and leaving her children with her parents to love and watch grow and make comparisons of life today to when we were 47.

She would have had by now her reunions past her from high school and celebrating anniversaries with her husband. Instead, she celebrates nothing but a little joy when she sees us arrive at her residence. She co-exists with her housemates and really there is no interaction. Sunday we took a cake and present and had a little party for her in her home. All 7 of her housemates sat around the table and were fed ice cream and cake but did not interact or recognize that they were getting a treat. How sad!

My wife bought her something for her birthday to wear, a top that will look great on her, but she will not know that. She didn’t even want to unwrap it, instead, tossing it over her shoulder.

There is something special about her life that I do not understand. How can life leave you happy? How is it that every day of not speaking, not knowing, and not understanding still find a smile on her face? I think it has to do with the fact that no one pollutes her wellbeing. No one interferes with her peace that exits in her mind and personal space.


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