"Let them be Little"

[JohnB]

G'day all,
It was my young blokes 16th birthday last week and last night we had a Barby for him.

The little bugger was trouble from the first.
When he was born he stopped breathing after about 3 hours, and the RFDS made an emergency flight with him and Mum to Perth at 0 altitude.
I followed the next morning by car.
He was in intensive care for a fortnight, and a week in a general ward.

When he was about 18 mths he pulled a cup of hot tea over his chest, and I ended up in the shower, fully clothed, with him, getting cold water on the burn. Took him to the hospital and they used some miracle cream and the burns healed with no scars.

Then we did our 3 mnth trip around Oz when he was about 2 1/2 and while staying at a caravan park he was off playing with the other 2 kids and ran through some hot coals from a fellows camp oven. Another trip to the local hospital and luckily them burns healed up with no scars as well.

In grade 4 at primary school he was diagnosed with Autism (Aspergers Syndrome) and luckily we had some very good teachers that listened and did research on the problem and he managed really quite well. He is very smart with an IQ in the top 6%. Smarter than his old man

High School was a totally different kettle of fish though. 2 teachers took a keen interest and I can not thank them enough, but the others just seemed to ignore him, and put him in the to hard basket.

Eventually after 12 months we took him out of school and booked him into the local university's TAFE system.
The Uni is excellent, they have a disabilities officer, and small classes of about 10 to a dozen students, mostly adults, and he relates much better to adults than to kids his own age.
He is studying IT and graphic design and doing very well, but his social skills, although improving, still cause heartache.

Anyhow, just feeling a bit melancholy this morning and had to share with someone.

Here are the lyrics of one of my favourite songs which tends to fit this post.

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little

[thecopperfish]

Hi John,
Thanks for sharing your heart. I too have been thinking about children and how they grow up. My daughter is 33 and going through the process of a painful divorce. She is hurt, my four grandchildren that she has are hurt, and there is nothing I can do, except love her. I know loving her counts for a lot, but my mothers heart yearns to do more. The fact that she lives clear across the country doesn't help. I too have been feeling a bit melancholy, I appreciate your openness, thank you.
Chris

[Pajaro]

Chris and John. Just remember that the Lord will not give us something we can't handle. Look to Him for guidance. Your children are getting what they need the most. Support. Good Job. Both of you and God Bless.

[Mike Crosa]

Amen, Pajaro and Chris have said it. As parents all we can do is love and help our children through their trials the best we can.

[Chase]

Fine looking lad John. Must take after his Mother. LOL
We also have, what we call, a "worry child." Multiple birth defects, myoptic, 16 major surgeries by the time he was 2, etc. In grade school couldn't make up his mind about his future. Wanted to by either a news paper delivery boy or a life guard.
He actually turned out to be a MD. Go figure.

Chase

[Kevin12]

Thanks for sharing, John! It's OK to be melancholy. It's just an emotion. It'll pass, as all things do. Fine lookin' lad, there. You'll both do just fine.

You, too, Chris!

[Forester21]

They do grow up fast. My oldest is 18 and in college. Went to see him this weekend - there was a ceremony for the boys in the area who made Eagle Scout and he was one of them. Seeing him there with all the other boys - most of whom are still in high school - made me realize how much he has grown in the last year. He really is a young man now.
Theresa

oh - thats one of my favorite songs too....

[Nubbin]

Hi John. Happy birthday to your son!! Sounds like his guardian angel has had it in overdrive and has done a wonderful job taking care of your boy. He is a fine looking lad and you should be very proud.

[JohnB]

G'day all,
Thanks for you support and kindness, I needed it and feel a bit better knowing I've got mates like you.

Chris,
Kids are both sides of the coin aren't they!! You love them and worry yourself sick about them when they're only nippers, then they grow up, leave home and once you get used to the idea you sort of breath a sigh of relief as your time's yours again, then they bloody well come back, or just keep on having their trials and tribulations which impact on you like they never left in the first place.

Chase,
He sure does take after his mother

Andy,
I'm just glad I wasn't his guardian angel, I'm stuffed just being his father

[SNAPPER]

Thanks for sharing John. They sure do grow up Fast. My oldest just recieved her driving permit. Now I have to be the parent and teach her the do's and dont's of driving. Wife does not think she should learn from me as I have a short temper when it comes to bad drivers. That is a good song, I cannot remember who sings it.
Dean