You Just Don't Know How Much It Means...

As summer has made its debut, I've been planning things to keep the girls busy so we're not sitting around being hermits. Which admittedly, is really what I'd prefer seeing as getting out with my crew can be a bit daunting. 

It's super easy to get AB involved in things. She has Girl Scout camp this week, VBS with her bestie next week. Swimming lessons for two weeks after that!! But, when it comes to Landree it just isn't that simple. There are very little things I can take Landree to do and signing her up for things is almost non-existed for a four year old with special needs. 

So can you imagine my elation when our church decided to do a special needs VBS? Finally! Something Landree can participate in that is catered just to her! 

I need to take this opportunity to just say "Thank you". Really. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!!! To the sweet volunteers who have decided to spend their evenings serving and loving on our children. It's not an easy task, believe me! When you open up an event for special needs, you're welcoming all different types and that can be hard to adapt, modify and equip all of these needs. But tonight, every person who devoted their time to doing this had a smile on their face and were so gracious and loving to all of these kiddos. 

You guys. You have no idea what this means to me, the parent of a child with disabilities. The world can be so cruel. You never know what kind of reaction you're going to get when you have people working with your kiddo. But tonight, the genuinely kind-hearted nature of all of these wonderful people was absolutely overwhelming. Let me make it very clear - these people in no way had to volunteer for this. They were there because of their wonderful, serving hearts. So, thank you. You need to know what this means to the parents of these kids.  

It's something you just can't possibly understand if you haven't experienced it first-hand. I watched a mom's face turn to joy as her son took interest in Landree and wanted to push her wheelchair. I could sense that she was nervous as to how he would handle her. Gently? Careful? Wild? Crazy? I stepped back and let him wheel her during one of the games. He couldn't have been more  careful and calm. Doesn't sound like a big deal to most parents. But to that mom, her heart was full of love and was proud of him for what might have been, a huge accomplishment. 

As parents, we know what it feels like to be proud. We feel it when our (typically developing) kids get an award at school, are on the "A" honor roll, sing a solo in the school play, etc... But. The joy you feel when your child with limitations accomplishes a task. Y'all. There's not a feeling like it. The joy far exceeds any kind of joy you might have ever experienced. 

So, thank you to my friends and church family tonight who took their time to allow us, the parents of kids with special needs, to feel that joy. And for your time and dedication to these kids. I know you're all going to sleep so well tonight. 😉 What a blessing this was and what a blessing you are. I will never forget your acts of service. Means more than you will ever know!