A HEART SQUEEZER!!!

I believe that God speaks to me in all kinds of ways - sometimes I am aware and other times I am totally oblivious. Nothing was coming to mind for my blog for this week . In the middle of the night last night, I believe He spoke to me because this story came to mind and it was still in my mind this morning. So here it is!!

Colin, our mentally challenged son is the oldest of our three boys. Many things were a huge challenge for him. We always treated him like he was a “normal” kid. We really had high expectations of him. His younger brothers actually became older brothers to him in many ways. Especially Sheldon our second son. Colin was born in July of 1972 and Sheldon was born in October of 1974. Sheldon quickly learned to be very forgiving and thoughtful and kind. Sheldon had to grow up very quickly and Sheldon took to that very naturally. He was (and still is) an old soul. Wise beyond his years. Derek our third son came along in February 1978, so Derek had the luxury of being the youngest for a long time. Derek brought the gift of laughter to our home.

Colin did not walk until he was about 26 months - just before his new brother came along, thank goodness!! (I say that a lot) ::)) But his speech was a big challenge and we did not have the resources that are available today. Colin's development was painfully slow, but his brothers really helped to motivate and encourage him I believe. What a gift they were to us and to Colin!!! Of course they are still a gift today.

Both Sheldon and Derek were clever and developed amazingly quickly compared to Colin. Everything from potty training to feeding themselves. They were able to dress themselves and were really quite self reliant at an early age it seems to me.

We had the privilege of living in a neighbourhood where there were lots of kids and the boys played outside a lot with their little friends. There was always lots of activity. Colin was often in school and missed out on some of the social activities.

The one activity that he missed out on was riding a bike. He just could not figure it out, no matter how much we tried to help him. Dennis finally purchased a scooter and Colin seemed to get along really well with that. Of course, all the other neighbourhood kids had to try it out. Unfortunately after a very short period of time, the scooter went missing and was never found again.

This happened in the summer of 1980. Colin was 8, Sheldon was 5 ½ and Derek 2 ½. So Derek was still hanging around with me a lot, but Colin and Sheldon were a team. One morning Sheldon decided that he was going to help Colin learn how to ride a bike - a huge task for a 5 ½ year old!!! Before I tell you much else, I have to tell you that Colin was subject to terrible temper tantrums, frustrated, I am sure, by the fact that he could see his “shortcomings”. He often took his “rage” out on the people around him, especially his brothers.

Sheldon was undaunted. He found a place not far from where we lived with a paved pathway which was not frequented by many people and which had a bit of a hill, perfect for the task at hand. I wish I could have been a little bird watching this transformation because we know that Colin, in his frustration, took to beating on his brother Sheldon many, many times. The amazing thing is that Sheldon kept at it for days and days - I am certain that it took a week of all day coaching; at least 3 - 4 hours a day. Sheldon would put his little cap on and say “come on Colin”. There were a lot of tears.  Finally, one day, they came running into the house shouting with their success, smiles from ear to ear. Colin could finally ride a bike. He could not figure the brakes out - but he did figure out that if he stood down; the bike would stop. It was hilarious!!   In our neighborhood, that method of stopping worked. (I can never think of him riding his bike in today's crazy traffic, but back then it really was ok). Sheldon gave Colin the gift of freedom to ride along with the other kids!!!

The challenge for me with this story is that I really had to let Sheldon and Colin work this out. Little and young as they were -  Intuitively, I knew this was not my business; I could not interfere with this work that was going on here. I believe that God told me to mind my own business and that is the only way I stayed out of the way.

This story brings huge pride to my heart. What a little trooper that Sheldon was with his brother Colin. This story also brings huge laughter when I think of our Colin riding his bike without the ability to stop other than standing down. The perseverance is amazing. Sheldon you are still a hero to your brother and to your parents - you are still an amazing brother!!! God Bless you! And Happy Mother's Day to me and all the other Moms reading this!!!