A Decade

Oscar is TEN today. 

For the past few years I've occasionally thought about how I would honor the passing of Oscar's first decade. I'm not talking about the standard birthday cake, balloons and presents.  I'm talking about going back and really acknowledging the journey -- the bumps and the triumphs.

I considered writing letters to all the amazing and compassionate people who taught me so much and supported me in those first couple of years as I battled fear, sadness and grief. 

I thought about fundraising for the organizations that led me gently into the world of disability and fortified me for the advocacy and planning and patience required to be Oscar's mom.

I envisioned a huge party at which I publicly and tearfully thanked every person we've encountered on this journey, from our very first home visitor to the boy in O's class who yesterday came up with a new nickname for him, "Oscar the Awesome".

I thought about hiking to the top of Mt. Tamalpais and screaming in celebration that Oscar thrived and that I survived.

Most likely today will be just like any other day. I haven't arranged to do any of these things but I am giving myself permission to make this an entire year of acknowledgment and celebration. 

I feel compelled to mark the end of this decade, I think, because I am keenly aware of how far we've come, and also that our journey continues. Oscar will always have Prader-Willi syndrome and it will always be our job to keep him safe and to help him develop into the happy, confident, earnest person with lots of ideas and goals that he is already clearly becoming.  It's daunting, honestly, and while ten years ago today I was gripped with fear over the prospect of raising a child with a disability, today I am full of hope. 

Oscar, you taught me so much about hope!

3 hours

6 days

3 months

7 months

9 months

One

One and a half

Two

Two and a half

Three

Four

Four and a half

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Nearly...

Almost...

TEN!!!!!!!!

I love you Oscar!