Lesson 593: Flutterby

A good morning

was followed by a great afternoon

which led into a grand evening.

Eloise declares today one of ginormous celebration.

Our daughter Miss Natalie Jeanne graduated today!

Out little Flutterby has spread her wings

and is on her way.

Here they are,

my Flutterby

flutter-bye 

and Callepittar

cal-i-pittar

because that is what each of my daughters

misnamed their bugs,

and I never worked very hard to correct them.

Both girls graduate high school this year.

This special trio of graduates celebrated their accomplishments

at the Culbertson Community Autism Program.

Morgan energized the gathering of loved ones

with her sweet smile and chatters of excitement.

Jeffrey signed the Star Spangled Banner

and left everyone reaching for the Kleenex.

Natalie sang our favorite song,

Humble & Kind by Tim McGraw

while a video of her accomplishments rolled in the background.

Like when she was hired for her job in the

Edinboro University cafeteria

by her boss, Ellie.

And when she jumped back into the van

before Ellie could finish because it was cold.

While Natalie's monotone words

floated through the air like a low flying chopper

moments flipped by

one by one.

Natalie at her job.

Natalie with her class.

Natalie sewing.

Natalie gardening.

Natalie sinking the winning shot in slo-mo,

in a game she played only against herself.

No one would have believed that the true victory

would be the receiving a diploma

and emerging a flutterby.

There are always lost years in Natalie's

photo timeline.

We have this year old photo,

and the 18 month photo that begins the 

music video posted at the end of this blog--

but not many more.

Those were the last years that I remember Natalie

happy, healthy, and full of growth toward the life we had hoped for her.

Then something went wrong.

Terribly wrong.

The cherubim face 

contorted into incessant screams,

her little body never resting,

always contorting

and fighting against the slightest change.

Autism reared its ugly head.

However,

light shines the brightest in the darkest spaces.

Through our journey through the Autism World,

we have met the nicest,

kindest,

most compassionate

and dedicated people 

we've ever known.

People like Ellie from Edinboro

the kind gentlemen from Comfort Suites,

 and this fine crew of educators.

As Natalie cleaned out locker #4,

I took a look around this magical place

that worked wonders with my daughter.

What makes the Culbertson Community Autism Program

so special?

The walls were lined with art

that the students had created throughout the year.

Reminders of positive behaviors 

were at posted everywhere.

Each of these will be finding a special place in the Lamp Post.

There are more ways to communicate

than just the spoken word.

They know that this is one of the most important words in life.

 This sparked inspiration for my summer starters blog next week!

Who is cooking today?
Not Eloise.

I knew that Natalie was in the right placement

as each person who worked with her

came to us with stories to share about how their lives

were changed because of Natalie.

She had a gift table with the most perfectly 

chosen items.

They knew she loved stuffed animals

and wiggly things,

big kid sippy cups,

nail polish,

and even a beer mug filled with peppermints!

She went to bed with this bracelet on tonight.

When Natalie opened it

she exclaimed,

"Look!  Sparkle!  Ooooh, pretty!"

Natalie thanks you.

Her friends,

and her family--

we are forever grateful.

If you live locally

and know someone with autism,

please encourage them to attend this specialized program.

It is worth it.

And here is your proof.

Enjoy the photos of our little Flutterby

to a song about a butterfly.

Thank you all so very much.

Eloise and All of Us

XOXOXO

Lesson 592: A Little Something

Hello, Readers.

Here's a little something to tide you over 

until the waves of photos that will be taken 

in the next few weeks.

Lamp Posters have two big birthday milestones

and three big graduations!

There is a ton of prep work to be done,

so I try to balance the long lists of To Dos

with some nice long walks with Hazel.

We're working on fetch.

I'm used to a lab, who didn't need to be taught,

but she's catching on.

She sniffs out EVERYTHING.

Here's a little something she discovered this week.

A killdeer and her chicks!

She'd chirp and call them in to hide under her wings.

Oh, to witness a mother's love!

Here's a big something:

Look at this fine fellow I found in the HC Community Park!

He likes to sit on the light pole between fields 3 and 4.

Isn't he something?

All but one of my feral cats survived the winter.

They come every morning and meow for me

until I come with a bucket of food

and a saucer of milk.

Lately they've taken up their cat morning meetings

on the trampoline.

Now isn't that something?

The Clark School tree is a nice shade of spring green,

which means the school year is nearing its end,

as well as my family's time at Clark School.

Sam will walk through the doors 

ending the elementary school era.

Sam's buddy Jake left him a little something

to remember a hard line drive hit right back to the pitcher.

A nice bruise on his left bicep.

For the last five years I've been conducting an experiment.

Will the front porch robins return 

to put a nest on top of last year's nest?

Apparently so!

I think I count four little somethings in there!

The spring has been wet.

The outfielders were wondering who the creepy guy was

watching from the tractor.

Just the hubby.

He got the tractor stuck in the mud.

Little somethings make me the happiest.

Dandelions gone to seed

in the tall, green grass.

Red winged blackbirds.

Pink flowers

New favorite kid snacks.

And a really good book.

(It's my first Western!)

My favorite little something of the week

is Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber's new song

I Don't Care.

The song gets a 10 out of 10 for Eloise.

I was not expecting this video,

but I just love it.

Pile up your little somethings this weekend.

See you next week.

Eloise

XOXO