I'm a cry baby

Today I went to the Meyer Center Ladies Luncheon that happens every year around this time. The Meyer Center is a school for children with special needs and the school Max attended the past several years. This is the 3rd year I've been and the 3rd year I've sat in my seat crying like a baby. I can't help it...when parents of children who attend or have attended the Meyer Center get up to speak I just lose it. The first lady who spoke had a son who attended the MC years ago and now he has graduated from college and teaches English in another country - what an inspiration!

The 2nd parent who spoke was my friend, Kelly (go check out her blog about her sweet AnnaKate...precious). Kelly did a TERRIFIC job and was the main reason for my snotty nose and swollen eyes! :) She talked about the grieving process a parent goes through when they learn their child won't be a "normal" child, but then how you get to a point where you can't imagine them being anything other than who they are...they're perfect the way they are. Wow - she hit a nerve with me on that one! I can remember having this emotion right after I had Max and grieving the fact that I missed out on so much of my pregnancy and then that Max would probably have a lot of issues even after we brought him home. But, I also know that I was able to experience something very life changing that a lot of people never will get to experience and I think that's kind of neat - as strange as that may sound. Now Max will probably grow out of his special needs and probably won't need therapy after a few years (we're so thankful and really blessed), but he will always have vision issues and his eyes will always look a little different - something I can really stress myself out about if I really think about it. I just think how cruel some children can be and how his feelings could be hurt over the years - I hate to even think about it. But, like one of the speakers mentioned today, the Meyer Center gives children the confidence to go out in the world and deal with whatever comes their way...this is what I hope for in Max.

Anyway, I'm rambling but this luncheon always puts me in reflective mood and makes me really grateful for the Meyer Center and all they have done for Max and our family. Max attends a K-4 program at our church now, and although we're over at the MC once a week for therapy, I still miss seeing everyone on a regular basis.

Oh, and I've got to throw this in because I'm so excited about my early Christmas gift to myself. It's called the Flip video camera...have you guys heard of these? It's very small and attaches easily to your computer (the little USB thing just flips back in). I've been wanting one for awhile and got one on sale the day after Thanksgiving. Check out the video I took at the luncheon today - it's Edwin McCain (a local Greenville boy) singing one of his popular songs. Edwin is a huge supporter of the Meyer Center and has been for several years. I'm so mad, though, because I didn't think of my camera until after Kelly spoke...sorry Kelly! I would have loved to have gotten your whole speech on video. :(



Oh, and while we're at it, here's a short video of Max saying the Pledge of Allegiance.


Oh, and one more thing...today was my sister's birthday...Happy Birthday Andrea!! My mom made fried chicken (yum) and we had a little birthday celebration tonight. It's her 9th anniversary of her 35th birthday!