Me Too - Lexi

I had the pleasure of driving with Lexi to the Chattanooga Autism Center Walk 2016 this weekend.  By ourselves in the car I knew that “Tween Music” on my Pandora would make the drive easier for her as riding in a car has never been fun for her.  She knows all the words to all the songs and when Meghan Trainor’s song “Me Too” came on Lexi asked me to turn it up.  The tune is fun to listen to.  The song is about her, I assume, and the life and times of a pop star.  Yes, it sounds a bit conceited but then it probably is pretty accurate of her life.  But it was the chorus that struck me and which Lexi loved the most.  It goes like this:

“I thank God every day (uh huh)
That I woke up feelin' this way (uh huh)
And I can't help lovin' myself
And I don't need nobody else, nuh uh”

Wow.  Powerful words for anyone to believe in.  But that Lexi is a child with Autism and wakes up every day loving herself is beautiful.  I learned this weekend that 1 girl in 189 girls are affected by Autism.  That statistic surprised me more than I can say.  I’m not sure why.  We knew from day one that Lexi was different but a diagnosis didn’t come until she was 6 years old.  Until I learned the facts about Autism, I was like every other person who judges children who are different without knowing all the facts.  Thanks to the awareness I am learning every day through the CAC, I feel more confident that I’m not judging anymore.

When Lexi asked me to turn up the song when it got to the chorus, I did it.  To sing out with joy that she is happy, confident, loves herself and thanks God for it every day; that’s all I need to know that she is on the right path and will succeed in whatever life brings her.  Her gratitude for all who participated at the walk and/or made a donation was sincere.  Her huge bear hug and genuine “thank you” she gave everyone as they left our home after the Walk, said it all.

As for me, I thank God every day for all my grandchildren and their love for each other.  I thank God every day for my family and friends who supported the Walk by sending money, prayers, and good wishes; who called, cheered us on, and sent messages of love.  It’s not about the money as much it is about the Love. 

Team Lexi

 

November 15^th – Day 15 – Mental Challenge and Journey of Gratitude

I dedicate myself on this 15^th day to do all that is nourishing, advancing, and promising! PNS

I am at times quite often astounded by the simplest act of kindness one can enact: Saying “Thank you.”  I woke up this morning and found pictures placed randomly around my house.  Each was signed, “Lexi” with a heart next to her name.  Last night the family gathered in our home, shared a meal, and welcomed old friends of my daughter and son-in-law.  At one point Lexi asked me for some blank paper and crayons. 

It had been a long day beginning with the Chattanooga Autism Awareness Walk at Coolidge Park, then a family lunch at Panera Bread, an afternoon where we gathered at the football game to watch Paige cheer, and finally back home to our house for gumbo and cornbread.  It was a day of gratitude for all who were present.  But for Lexi it was just another day, or so I thought. While the other five children played, Lexi focused on her picture which she presented to me when it was completed.  I hugged and thanked her and asked her to put it on my desk so that I could hang it up after the company left.  When I woke up this morning, I found pictures scattered all over my living room, on the floor and the furniture placed for me to find.

Children with Autism have no filter.  When they are sad or happy, you know it. But verbalizing their feelings doesn’t always come easy. The pictures were little tokens of gratitude; Lexi’s way of saying “Thank you.”

Today, I give thanks for my family and friends who supported and walked with Team Lexi, who wished us well and especially for my precious granddaughter who helps us all see life through the eyes of Love. ~ Pris

Connected by Love

It’s nice to be Mimi and Mark instead of Pris and Mark at times. We say, “What happens at Mimi’s stays at Mimi’s.”  And that is the rule.  The other day Paige joined us for the evening and dinner.  While playing a game of Monopoly, she and Hayden devoured two bowls of Gold Fish each.  I thought this would ruin their dinner but it did not.  Hayden ate his macaroni and cheese and Paige ate two helpings of chicken, rice and peas and all of Hayden’s turkey.  She was hungry.  Although they are almost four years apart, they are able to find a happy medium where each can express themselves and be their own person.  They are each a piece of their fathers, funny, quick-witted, kind, gentle, and sweet. And not to just each other but to all they meet.  Hayden and Paige’s love for each other is so darling.  Each could not wait to see the other and together they shared a great afternoon of imagination, fun, games, dancing, videos, and computer games.  They played outside on the newly cut grass chasing each other, laughing with joy and just enjoying each other’s company. Not unlike Jason and his siblings did growing up.

Three Generations of Shartle Men

This week Hayden’s father celebrates his38th birthday.  I can’t begin to express how delighted his father and I are to be a part of Jason’s life and how proud we are of him.  Being able to visit him and his beautiful wife in Marietta and share in their precious son’s life is such a joy.    He was the first of our four children to spend more time on a computer than outside playing when growing up, and so it makes sense now that he’s the one the family calls on when we have a computer question. I look back on the little boy with those long eyelashes and ability to put anything together just by looking at the directions even before he could read and I am not amazed at how he is today.  His love for his two brothers and sister shows in his generosity of time and talents. Pictured is Jason, Mark and Hayden sitting at the barber shop waiting for Hayden's haircut.  It says it all.  Connected by a love for each other and for family, I’m not surprised that he is happiest when the family is together for a Shartle family event.  Happy birthday Jason!  Have a great day!  We love you! ~ Pris (a.k.a. Mom)