Graham had an early release day on Thursday. I surprised him by picking him up at school and taking him to his favorite indoor play place with his classmate K.
K was born Deaf, but like Graham has very good speech and of course signs fluently. She's quite shy when she's around typical kids, but again like Graham, when she's with her Deaf friends from school, she's far less anxious and more outgoing.
The two of them took off running as soon as we walked in. I've never seen Graham have so much fun, he was trying things he usually doesn't bother with, like the climbing wall and big slide. K's mom, J, couldn't get over how comfortable K was with all the other kids whizzing around her.
J and I chatted and watched them play from afar. We exchanged the kids' histories, and gushed about how wonderful their school and all the staff is. After a half hour or so, K came bounding out of the Mega Climber signing frantically;
"Girl (pointing to a girl). Want play with me Graham. Friend." And off she bounced.
They'd met a girl, I'd say a 7 year old, I didn't see the initial interaction, but it was clear she wanted to play with them. They followed the leader, trampoline bounced, and ball pit flailed. They ran around until they were all red faced, sweating and panting.
When it was time to stop and have a snack and a drink in the Koala Cafe, the newly formed trio had to sit at their own table...cuuuuuuute.
I noticed a Grampa like guy watching her from a bench, smiling and just letting her be. He acknowledged J and me with a friendly nod. Graham and K signed to each other, talked to their new friend and to the untrained eye, looked like they'd all been friends forever.
They played for another hour before it was time to go. As they hugged and waved goodbye I noticed the Grampa absolutely beaming at his granddaughter. He looked like he was going to positively shatter to a million pieces with pride.
He smiled widely at me and I smiled back. I thought about approaching him, and congratulating him on one cool ass grandchild. I think he wanted me to. But that little girl didn't know or care that she'd done anything out of the ordinary, so I let it be that. Ordinary.
I decided that pointing out the specialness of the moment would diminish the specialness of the moment.
ETA: Here I go embracing my sappy side once again.... I don't know what's wrong with me...I took Graham to see UP yesterday and fucking cried...
- Cristin
- Flooby Nooby, United States
- Mom to especially needy Graham who is a CDH and 2 time ECMO survivor (Google it, I'm sick of explaining). He's Deaf and weaning off his g-tube. Dottie is normal, though abnormally cute. I like to drink and swear and say wrong things.
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23 comments:
Oh yeah, by about five minutes into Up I was sobbing. I'd been warned so I had a pile of Kleenex in my lap, but BOY did that make me cry, three separate times. Though I laughed uproariously too, especially at the dogs' dialogue. :)
You make me miss my kids being youg with your stories.
Loved your label for this post BTW.
I am crying right now!!! What an awesome moment. Thank you for sharing it with us :)
Aww that is very sweet.
and WTF UP is sad? my kids are dying to see it
Thanks. Tearing up again. Cuz of your damn (sweet) posts. Warm and fuzzy, yo.
My husband (who I joke is dead inside) took Q to see Up. He was trying to tell me the premise and totally had to stop a few times from verklemptedness.
Very nice indeed. Sap.
children can be so sweet and loving sometimes...
..and then there's the other times.
But, a very sweet story !
Adults need to take a lesson from these kids. We just need to have fun and play together.
This made me cry!! What sweet kiddos all around. It sounds like a really fun day.
Yes, better left unsaid...and so totally cool!!!
That completely made me tear up. I may have to go repair my eye make-up before my 9:00 meeting. *sniff*
Great post! Aren't kids amazing sometimes, especially when left to their own devices?!
I bawled at Up too, all the way through.
I want to go to UP as a family--I can see hubby will be making fun of me for crying. I teared up at Hotel for Dogs and I hate dogs! :P Awesome that Graham and his buddy made a great friend on the spot, love it when kids do that.
Dude.... are you knocked up?
HAH! Bad Mommy.......Good question!
I knew someone would accuse me of being knocked up.... sorry but no... can't even blame PMS... seriously though.. I dare you to go see that movie and NOT cry.. can't be done I tell ya...
Oh I like this sappy side of you. Awesome story and makes me just love kids all that much more. We could all learn a thing or two from this interaction, I swear.
And I cry at everything!!! Isn't it fun?
:-)
Of COURSE this story made me cry it's so beautiful. Everything about it.
I myself was beaming with pride for that little girl as I read this. You're right. She's kick ass.
Sounds like a great play area too. We have only one place like that in Ft Myers which scares Sprite silly.
Totally a cool ass kid! Great post!
I hear Up is sad, and this is from a non-cryer friend of mine. Great post and what a grea moment - thanks for telling that story. and so well.
That's my style, too. Bravo.
Great story: ) Thanks for sharing it!
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