It's What Life's All About

Elisabeth rarely laughs, so when she does it feels like a little gift.

 

And that gift sparkles and shines and reminds me just how beautiful life is. 

Life isn't about being perfect...

 it's about being happy.

You're Never Alone

"You're not alone, you're never alone."

I whisper that to Elisabeth often, especially in the midst of a seizure. And when I look at these pictures, I see how true those words are. Elisabeth is the pride and joy of our family. We take great care to make sure she always feels safe and loved. There is a certain reverence we have for Elisabeth, for even though her abilities and understanding are small, we know that she is greater than us all. So we protect her, we cherish her, we nurture her, we love her.

   

 

 

   

   

 

Elisabeth, the greatest Sorenson of all.

Caretaker Extraordinaire

When Elisabeth was born, Alexandra and Lorelai were not quite three and five years old, too young to really understand the severity of her situation.

It has been amazing to watch them grow up with Elisabeth as a sister; to naturally gain an understanding of her handicaps and start taking on an active role in her care.

One thing I know for sure, they do not feel embarrassed or burdened by Elisabeth. On the contrary, they are absolutely and completely devoted to her.

A few days ago I took Alexandra to Target to purchase some school supplies and as I was about to get Elisabeth out of the van she stopped me and said, "I can do it."

So I stepped back and watched in amazement.

First she lifted her out.

 

Swiveled around.

 

And safely got her into her chair.

The final touch...binky in:

   

And then she pushed Elisabeth with pride all through the store.

 

National Book Lovers Day!

This day was created for me.

My home doubles as a library. There are books tucked into nooks and crannies all over my home, from window sills, to bookcases, to the niche above the fireplace. Books promote an atmosphere of learning, encourage the imagination, and look beautiful to boot!

And now, in honor of this special day, a book review.

My favorite children's book:

As a child, it was the pictures in this book that captivated me. The blocks of orange and green were simply mesmerizing and I enjoyed looking for the mouse with each page that passed. It was by far my favorite children's book. And now, it has become a favorite to my Elisabeth, but for a different reason. Since she is coritcally blind, it isn't the art that captures her interest, but rather the rhyme and rhythm of the words. The story has comforted her through many a hospital stay and many a seizure. Oh, what a treasure and a blessing this book is in my life!

My favorite book:

The Giver simply speaks to my soul. Each time I read it, it reaches inside of me and stirs up new thoughts and emotions. Proudly, it has become Alexandra's favorite book as well.

My favorite genre:

When I was in the 7th grade, The Martian Chronicles was required reading in my English class. It was my first exposure to science fiction and I remember thinking, 'What in the world did I just read?!' I have been fascinated by and hooked on sci-fi ever since.

My favorite character:

Clarisse McClellan from Fahrenheit 451.

I love how true she is to herself. She is not and never could be influenced by her peers or culture. She enjoys life, she notices life, she lives life.

"One two three four five six seven days. And as many times he came out of the house and Clarisse was there somewhere in the world. Once he saw her shaking a walnut tree, once he saw her sitting on the lawn knitting a blue sweater, three or four times he found a bouquet of late flowers on his porch, or a handful of chestnuts in a little sack, or some autumn leaves nearly pinned to a sheet of white paper and thumbtacked to his door."

Most influential book:

Not a day goes by that I don't think about Outliers or quote it to my children. It isn't a parenting book, but it has changed how I parent. Never before has a book made such an impact on me. 

So read it, read it today!

Favorite opening page:

Sometimes I pull this book off the shelf just to read the opening page over and over and over. I find it to be quite genius. It goes like this:

It was a long times ago.

Though it seems, sometimes, that most things that matter happened a long time ago, that is not really true. What is true is this: by the time you realize how much something mattered, time has passed; by the time it stops hurting enough that you can tell about it, first to yourself, and finally ro someone else, more time has passed; then, when you sit down to begin the telling, you have to begin this way:

It was a long time ago.

My current read:

Elsa and I are reading Peter Pan together.

To teach a child to love books, read with them.

Other books I recommend:

• 11-22-63 by Stephen King
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 
• The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Now go on and read, fellow bibliophiles!