Little Things Mean A Lot

Grant had swim therapy today. It was the first time he has had swim therapy since he has started school. Since it is during school, I have to go check him out so we can go to swim therapy. As I was loading the kids back into the car after checking him out, one of his new aids approached me.

Let me back up for just a minute. This year is new. New teacher, new aids, new school, new classroom, etc. From what I have been able to gather, everyone is really nice, but no one compares to our old school family. I really miss them! They were more than Grant's teacher, aid, therapists, etc. They were/are our friends! They were like your long lost childhood friend that you can talk to for ever and ever! The environment was always very comfortable and inviting. I always knew that Grant was in good hands and that he was loved and cared for. While I know Grant is cared for at the new school, I have wondered if they have the same love for him that his preschool family did.

Fast forward back to today...one of the aids, Miss Jeanie, approached me with tears in her eyes and told me "her" story. She told me that at the end of last year she was laid off from her position at the high school working with the special needs kids with major behavioral problems because of budget cuts. She had spent several years working in that position and had really come to love the kids and was quite devastated that she was laid off. When she received the news that she would still have a job, but would be moving schools and age groups she was happy to have a job, but still upset about having to leave her kids. Her first day was also Grant's first day. They both were in a new school with new faces and a new completely new environment. They both cried together and laughed together and made a special bond. She told me how Grant saved her! She said she didn't think she would have been able to make it through this huge transition without him. She told me how she LOVED him! She said since then they do everything together. She helps him with his school work, she plays with him, she works with him on his therapy, etc. All the time having fun!

Oh how wonderful it was to have my worries put to rest! My boy is loved and cared for! I know he's not hard to love, but I still worry about him. Today I have learned that even though the classrooms and personalities are completely different, the end result is still the same. We will continue to love and miss our preschool family, but hope to increase the bonds with our new school family. I am grateful for those people that donate their lives to work with our special kids. It truly takes a special person to work with them and have a passion for it. I think Grant and Jeanie saved each other! Thank you Jeanie for sharing your sweet, heart felt story with me. It really meant a lot!