“Joey Stories – As Told By Mom” is a FB page where I take the time to share fun, funny, kind, and sweet things Joey says, does, or responds to. I admit loving when others compliment the page because I know they are getting to know Joey. It’s like the frosting on the cake. Joey is such fun and special but hearing that others enjoying hearing about him and learning about him…. just makes it all worthwhile! So today, to celebrate this month of love, I’ll share stories!
Special needs are as individual as snowflakes…not one is the same. Feeling that way about our Joey helps us to recognize his unique special needs makes him like no other. I appreciate so many things about him! While he has many challenges (one being limited expressive language)
I love that he has a sense of humor:
- He laughs at my silly jokes, faces, and gets funny commercials. I wonder what he thinks, but for sure he knows when things “aren’t right” and laughs at them!
- A local furniture store advertises on billboards. It’s “Fish Furniture.” While driving Joey home from work he read it out loud. He exclaimed with laugher, “FISH furniture?!” We both burst out laughing. He gets it and we love that he does!
I also love that he has manners and cares about them. It took a lot of time to achieve that, but it’s been so worth it!
- When he drools, he is sure to catch it…usually with his shirt, but he gets it!
- When he has food on his lips, he feels it and grabs a napkin, and if he doesn’t feel it, I look at him, touch my lip, and he grabs his napkin and wipes it.
- When I ask him not to dance in a store when we hear fun music, he stops. He is aware he’s not at a wedding or fun party, but in a public place where others might not appreciate it! (I think they would!)
But, let me be clear: when I share Joey Stories, I am purposeful to highlight the fun and pleasant sides of Joey. There are times he loses his temper, gets upset, yells at us, wakes at 3, 4, and 5:00 a.m. packing his bags to go to Aunt Sue’s making all kinds of noise, etc. but we all have “that” side of us don’t we? We love all the different sides of Joey. Each one is unique and precious in their own way.
His uniqueness is so tender and kind, and we love it!
- Recently, I quarantined Joe (my husband, his dad) in the bedroom until he got over the flu. Nearly a week later, Joe joined us for dinner. Joey lovingly took Joe’s hand and kissed it. No expressive words needed.
- Joe was on a stepping stool adjusting a latch on the top of my pantry door. Joey came right up to him, held the door and said, “Dad, don’t fall.”
We have come to enjoy the deficits, the challenges, the tenderness, and all of the fun victories and joys. Sometimes we have to look for them, but we love getting to share those stories. I hope you’ll take time to look for, embrace, and enjoy sharing yours, too!
