I'm listening to Elvis Costello's "Blood and Chocolate", one of his louder albums, in the hopes that it will dislodge Robert Goulet's cover of "The Little Drummer Boy" from my brain. Henry is upstairs, banging around. We have a brief pause in our day between school and speech therapy. The weather is sunny and warm (for December -- it's nearly 40 degrees) when I long for snow and cold. Especially snow, to cover up all that's gray and brown and black: the monochrome world of winter brought to you in glorious Technicolor by that darned sun. Go away, sun! Come back in March!
We had Henry's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting last Friday. This is an annual meeting that looks at last year's goals and progress, and makes a plan for the next year. It's the document that drives all the services we receive from the school district. In other words, it's important. I had steeled myself for it, filling my pockets and purse with Kleenex-brand facial tissues, because I always cry at meetings with The School People. I am often so exhausted afterward that I need a stiff drink and a nap.
But this meeting was different. All good news! Hurray for progress! So many achievements! Happy smiles! Much lauding of Henry's cuteness! (True, he is very cute.)
What a relief. He still has a long way to go, he is still behind his peers, but he is doing wonderfully. And I love The School People. They "get" Henry. They really do. I don't feel like they are seeing a different kid than what I see (as I felt in our previous district), so I don't feel that terrible, conflicted feeling of wanting to protect Henry from the people who are supposed to help him. That was rough. It made me crazy.
We've been in Smallville for a little over a year now, and Friday's meeting gave me yet another reason to be happy about our move here. I miss some things about our old neighborhood and about living in the midst of a city, I miss being close to our friends, but I truly feel calmer and happier here. I don't miss the undercurrent of anxiety about whether that kid on the corner is selling crack, or whether that other kid had thrown a gun into our back yard, or whether the school district was going to give Henry more than a half an hour a week of therapy -- while simultaneously warning us how severe his delays were.
Today's mood: grateful.
Great news Becca! I'm happy for you guys.
You deserve this good news!
Posted by: Matt | December 12, 2006 at 05:52 AM
That's wonderful news! Isn't it a great feeling knowing that those who care for your son all day understand him, nurture him, and want to see him do well?
Posted by: Wendy | December 12, 2006 at 08:44 AM