BACK TO SCHOOL!

Mon., 8-25-08:  Back to school today....  It was a good 1st day.  Not a lot of sleep last night.  I had anxiety, night sweats, and Craig's snoring to contend with.  When I got home today I floated in the pool and napped a bit.  The water is still too chilly to swim.  Crazy August weather, here! We have 5 of our students from last year and 2 new ones.  Seven , middle school, autistic kids is a lot!  They all did really well today, though.  The "old" ones got right back into routine (with a couple of hitches) and the new ones seemed to fit right in.  I am pretty tough the first week. (although still loving them)  I find it is easier to lighten up in a week or two, than to be light at first and try to get tough.  By tough I just mean following rules, staying within boundries, asking permission, etc.  The new teacher seems overwhelmed but okay. She has never worked with autistic kids before.  Like me, her specialty was more behavioral.  That actually works well for myself and the other para because we know what works and what doesn't with 5 of the 7 so the teacher is open to us and our suggestions. One of my friends came over yesterday.  She was the one who maybe was going to float with me on Sat.  We didn't get in the pool but had a great visit, and a cold Corona, on the screened in porch.  She suggested a book to me, that she gave her son Mark, after Scott died.  It is The Little Soul and the Sun.  It is a child's book but apparently a good one.  I am going to have to read it.  For some reason yesterday was kind of a tough day for me so it was good to have a friend visit and just hang out.  We have known each other about 15 yrs. and became friends because Mark & Scott were such good friends.  Mark is in several of the photos with Scott.  He was also a pallbearer.   Interesting...Leslie, my friend, told me, "It is like sitting here talking to Scott when I talk to you...the mannerisms, etc."  I was thrilled.  She also told me my eyes were getting blue again.  When I asked her what color they had been she said, "Well, just dingy blue."  I guess the eyes are truly windows to the soul.  Obviously the sadness still shows, too.  But, it is nice to know I am a bit brighter now. That has been, in great part, to the kindness & wisdom, of the great people on DS.  Also, my awesome friends and family.  In those areas I am truly blessed.  I truly do have great friends.  And my family, although they can be a pain, (lol), is amazing! Scotty memory:  Scott was 10.  It was about this time of year and he had the back to school worries.  He was worrying about his light sprinkle of freckles across his nose.  I told him, "Those are great!  They are God's kisses!"  With a slight pause he said,"Well, I wish he would just hug me instead!"  What an awesome child!