The year is fast drawing to a close, and before I leave for the holidays I want to express how grateful I am for how well my oldest son is doing. For how well each of us in our household is doing. We are still on the journey, but Chris is now spending more time steering the boat and Ian and I are quite content after all these years to be merely the passengers.
What’s different about this year than last? One big observation that I have is that Chris is losing the “flat affect.” When he began singing in public in earnest a couple of years ago, he had a beautiful voice, but his facial expressions and physical mannerisms were stiff. Not so much now. A friend from church who observed Chris while he underwent the Tomatis Therapy, told me she noticed when he sings in the church choir that he is developing the body/mind connection. This was borne out when I saw Chris perform in the Christmas pantomime. He was much more expressive on stage than he was in last year’s pantomime.
Chris has a girlfriend! She shares his love of musical theater. Hurrah! She also has a car to take him to rehearsals and back. Hurrah! Chris does not yet have a driver’s license. Perhaps a goal for the New Year?
He has friends! They are all around my age or older (horrors), but they share his passion for music and throw some great parties. Chris has spent many lonely evenings after he was first hospitalized almost nine years ago.
While Chris still has further capacity to grow and learn, recovery is to be expected for each of us if we have the patience, wisdom and fortitude to stay the course.
I wish you all the best of the holiday season.
Tomorrow shall be my dancing day An old English carol Turn up the volume
I am so happy to read this Rossa. Simply awesome to hear about the progress Chris has made. A real gift, thank you for sharing it.
A girlfriend and other friends?
How cool is that?!
Blessings,
Duane
Rossa,
Re: Dancin’
My wife and I will save some chairs at our table – for you, your husband, Chris and his new “enamorada”…
Just show up at the Fort Worth stockyards –
We’ll do some two-steppin’, waltz and polka. Don’t forget to wear a Resistol cowboy hat and a pair of Justin boots.
See ya’ll soon.
Duane
I love Texas dancing. I’ ll find out what a Resistol cowboy hat is and get back to you. Have a lovely Christmas with you and your family!
…Rossa
Rossa,
Resistol is a hat company just east of us – best cowboy hats in the world. Justin, a bootmaking company, just northwest of us.
The best things in the world come from Texas!
Re: Dancing, Part 2
My wife and I just got back from watching a Nutracker performance by the Texas Ballet in downtown Fort Worth. It was beautiful!
I apologize for all the comments, but want you to know that the news about Chris, and how well he’s doing made my holiday season.
Your family is in my prayers. May your family have a joyful Christmas, Rossa!
Duane
That’s really great news Rossa – it’s made my day! Thank you for sharing it with us all. Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year too. Louise x
Merry Christmas to you and yours Rossa, thank you for all you do, your words continue to remind me to always have hope. I continue to grow in all my relationships. I have learned much form my mother son journey.