You know that song that Julie Andrews sings in the Sound of Music movie?
"when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel...so bad"
So, as part of my 'pull up your big girl pants' plan for the rest of my life...I committed to a grattitude journal. Here's a clip:
Moving to Fairfield has been an experience, for sure. There are things we teach our children because of the opportunities we have been given. Some good. Some bad. And some funny as hell.
Jerry is perhaps the funniest kid I've ever met. For those not famililar...he's my 39 year old, older brother. He's also down syndrome, though if you tell him that, its your funeral. See, he has 'outgrown' his handicap. The days where we screamed loudly as he rounded the corner for the last leg of the race at the Special Olympics are long gone. His response to my offer to arrange a get together with another darling DS girl: a very frustrated, " I don't date handicap chicks!" He's outgrown it. We aren't sure exactly when this happened, but its defintely the case.
You can tell that he's been raised with the rest of us. He's sarcastic and often gets the last word. A month ago he was getting ready to go to an NFL game with my uncles. My 13 year old son asked him to bring him a souveneir...to which Jer responded, contorting his face, "um, like a breath mint?" Kolbe was thoroughly amused.
When Jer comes to visit, which in the winter is alot...he spends alot of time laying on my couch, in front of the fire, and making up jokes. So, his jokes are rarely funny. But sometimes they're hilarious. Kolbe is getting to an age where he finally has outgrown his need to tease and prank Jer, and rather enjoys just hanging with him. In a recent conversation Kolbe asked him to tell him a joke. He fired back, "Kolbe, YOU are the joke!"
But, perhaps my favorite Jerryism as of late happened this Sunday. After church mom and Jer stopped by quick to pick up a few things. Jer headed downstairs to the all powerful draw of the tv...where Kolbe was likewise being sucked into it. I was cooking dinner...but Kolbe came up stairs a little bit later and was giggling and in a quiet voice he said, "mom, guess what Jerry just said?" Well, the possiblities here are endless.....
He then explained that he called Jerry a name. "Pig"...to which Jerry bantered back, "Idiot" and the game(I know...not entirely kosher) went back and forth for a few rounds. Kolbe walked away sort of stunned...and entirely conceding the match to Jerry with Jerry's last word: "Mental"
I love this kid! He's the funniest, dearest person I know. I love that, given its tax season, and I'm working so much I don't know this...my husband came home from work to find Jer just chilling in our bed, watching tv. At least he was kind enough to ask Nate to join him :)
I simply remember my favorite things...and then I don't(CAN'T POSSIBLY) feel so bad!
