Most people who know me, know that my oldest has Tourette's. For those who don't, my son has Tourette's. No "awes" please. Having Tourette's is just like being Diabetic. It just is. I'd like to think I've never treated him any different than I would have if he wasn't given the little extra quirk but that would be a lie. At times, I've enabled him to be less than he could and at other times, I've been harder on him had he not had Tourette's. Either way, he's an amazing young man. If you know him, you know that he's intelligent. Sometimes a bit too intelligent. He thinks outside of the box. (Truth be told, none of my children even know there's a box to begin with).

He graduated high school this past June. This was an amazing day for all of us. Especially him. I was once once told that I need to come to terms with the fact he'd never make in public school and should really consider institutionalizing him. I won't go into my reaction about it. It's not healthy to dwell on it. It was however the fuel I needed to help fight for him. My push with the schools and his hard work paid off. At the last meeting with his teachers and the staff involved with him at his high school, they told me that he was the standard they held the others to. He was hard working, never in trouble, sought help when he needed it, asked extremely intelligent questions, was humorous, and a delight to have as a student. They said they'd greatly miss him. (Side note: his reputation saved his brother this past year from being expelled after he was in a school fight. Based entirely on his older brothers reputation). We all were fighting back tears that day.

Now several months after graduation, and many years after the statement of dismissal, he's preparing to leave for school. Over three hours away from home. It'll be good for him. He's extremely excited. It's a school that specializing in so called disabilities (we don't call them disabilities. They're simply extra obstacles). He'll get driver's training, basic life skills (paying bills etc), occupational therapy to help with his lack of memory skills which every 20 year old has, and he'll get his basic college education. I'm excited for him. Yet I'm fearful too. For the first time in his life, I won't be there to help. But isn't that how its suppose to be? The distance I suppose is the best thing for him now. I guess it all goes back to the old saying "Sink or Swim". But one thing I've learned from him, when it comes that time he not only swims he performs the entire water ballet. I'm so proud of him. He'll do fine. And me? Well, I suppose this is the best time for me to learn to let go. There's two more just ready to spread their wings. I wish him the best. I know he'll make us proud and best of all, he'll make himself proud.

"When there’s an elephant in the room introduce him" That's how Randy Pausch starts his Last Lecture. The elephant in the room that day was his Cancerous tumors. Randy Pausch,  a professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University, remained as he put it a "Tigger" through his battle with Cancer. In The Last Lecture, he details how to achieve your childhood dreams. The book isn't about him dying of  Cancer but rather about him living the life he wanted; his childhood dreams.

"We can’t change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. If I’m not as depressed as you think I should be, I’m sorry to disappoint you"  Pausch didn't take a moment for granted. He enjoyed every moment he could. He used the opportunity to participate in The Last Lecture series at CMU to not only tell the audience how to acheive their childhood dreams but as he put it pull a head fake and tell his children.

The Last Lecture is not only an inspiring story told by a man fighting Cancer but an inspiring story of a man living. In the book, he gives practical and positive advice for living the life you want. I loved every moment of this book. Many times people will say a book has touched them and even changed their lives. I can honestly say this is one of those books. "Decide if you’re a Tigger or an Eyeore. I’m a Tigger" Pausch says. After reading The Last Lecture I'm working really hard to be a Tigger. Hopefully, after you read it, you'll be a Tigger too.

And in case you want to check out the lecture itself here it is:

Today I took books back to the campus library unread. Yes, you heard
me. Unread! They weren't even research materials. I've found that my
tastes,while always eclectic, have changed. Thank God! I have become
bored with candy for the brain. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing
wrong with some mindless fiction. I had just became trapped in the
paranormal world and need to get out or get exercised.

However, I do have some good material to read. Just need to find the
time to do so. I am enjoying a quick read I picked up on the advice
from Madame X. "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow.
It might be a quick read but sounds intense. I'll keep you posted.

That's it for now. I'm trying out posting via email (via iPhone).
We'll see how it goes! Happy Reading!

Sent from my iPhone