Owlets

Living in a city you do not often see owls, let alone owlets. In our little town we have a great horned owl who decided to make her nest in the local marketplace! I spent 20 minues this morning watching the owls, seeing how they interacted, seeing the different personalities, and of course taking pictures. At first all I could see was the mama owl.

Then mama did a bit of hopping around and a fuzzy owlet popped up!

A few minutes, and much hopping around, later owlet number two decided to come out.

The mother owl walked to the other side of the sign, with her owlets walking behind.  When they got to the other side I noticed one owlet always stayed right next to mama.  The other hung back a little bit and stayed out of sight as much as possible.  When they got back to their original starting place, owlet #2 promptly crawled back underneath mama owl and was not to be seen again.  Owlet #1 stayd glued to his mamas side for quite awhile. 

So much enjoyment found sitting in a parking lot with a camera.  Take time for the little things that pass by so quickly.

Never Forgotten

Thirteen years ago fifteen people lost their lives in a shooting at Columbine High School.  Two of those people also perpertrated the horror experienced by those at the school. 

I was at work when I heard that there was a school shooting.  I felt revoltion and sadness; then I asked where.  The response, Columbine High School, floored me.  I literally had to sit down for a moment and then ran to the television.  It was true.  My brother-in-law and my sister were both attending that school.  Were they okay?  I frantically started trying to reach my mother and mother-in-law.  The phone lines were overloaded.  I finally was able to get ahold of my mother-in-law.  My brother-in-law had gotten out of the school and was safe.  I got ahold of my mom and she hadn't even heard about the shooting yet.  It was hours before we heard anything about my sister.  Her class was the last to be evacuated.  Throughout my mom was sure that my sister was okay.  Due to our faith, she just knew.  She felt a confirmation that my sister would make it out alive.

My brother-in-law had been in the library and was able to get out after the first time the killers came through the library.  He did what he could to help those who were hurt outside the school.  We knew he was okay because a family member had seen him on a news broadcast. 

My sister was in the classroom where Dave Sanders was bleeding to death.  They did what they could to help him and then they waited.  I'm still unclear as to why they were the last class evacuated from the building.  The authorities knew there was an injured man in the room.  I'm sure they had their reasons, but like many others I wish things had gone differently in so many ways that day.  I know more of what happened that day, but it is not my story to tell. 

The aftermath of the shooting has been wide and varied.  Many of those who were there that day still have issues sleeping.  Many still have issues with loud, sudden noises (ie: fireworks, cars backfiring).  They have overcome that day though.  They have been able to move forward in their lives, they have been able to help others. 

Another thing that happened in the aftermath was a raised awareness of bullying.  Bullying has been around forever, but was never really in the spotlight.  Bullying does not absolve what happened that day.  Those actions and choices belong to the boys who chose them.  However, it is important to be aware of what is going on around us.  To be aware of bullying, to be aware of those who may want to hurt others or themselves.  We need to stand up and help those around us.  Sometimes that help may come by letting others know what is going on and have some feel like we betrayed them.  It is more important to get help.

For today, I mourn in remembrances of lives cut short.

Autism Awareness

My first brush with autism came when I was 18 and working at a daycare.  I had a little boy in my class who was autistic and he was a challenge.  He was a GOOD challenge though.  Most likely this was not the first time I had been around someone with autism, but it is the first time I was in close contact with someone diagnosed.  I don't remember the boy's name, but I remember his face, his smile, his frustration.  I will admit the first few weeks with him were challenging.  It didn't help that there were 20+ other kids in my care.  We were quickly able to come to an understanding with each other.  I started learning how to work with, and sometimes around, his needs. 

I now have a couple really amazing nephews that are autistic.  One is severly autistic, the other not so much.  We spent last weekend visiting family in Southern Utah.  Their second child is my severly autistic nephew.  I am amazed by him and his parents everytime I am with them.  His parents have done everything within their power to help him.  They have pushed for a diagnosis.  They have pushed for the proper therapies.  They work with him at home on a regular basis.  They are working on diet changes.  It is a constant challenge to care for him.  He is such a special kid and well worth the challenges.  He is getting to the point where his communication is getting better, where that frustration of not being able to talk is going down.  While there he came and snuggled up next to me.  He wanted my bread, but I'll take the snuggles!  His parents have found he has many food sensitivities, so they are taking those things out of his diet.  One of those things is regular bread and he wanted my toast.  So he snuggled, then said "You share!", as he reached for my bread.  I think that made my whole day!  I am hopeful for him and his family that he will continue to progress, that he will continue to learn to communicate.  Whether that communication will be verbal or electronic is yet to be seen.  However I am sure it will come!  It has not been an easy road for their family, but it is one that they will continue to forage through.

My other nephew is my newest nephew, gained through marriage.  He is a great kid!  He is a high functioning autistic child.  It has been really great for my kids to spend time with him.  He is teaching them patience, acceptance, and love.  His mom too constantly has to advocate for him, with school, with therapies. 

These sweet kids may not be like other children, but they are amazing!  I think often people hear the term autism and it scares them, they think of a child who cannot function.  Autism can be scary, especially when the diagnosis is given.  There is so much these kids have to offer.  So much that they have to teach us.  So much that they have to give.  It is up to US.  It is up to us to help them.  To learn from them.  To accept them.  To love them.  They will do all they can, they will give all they can, but it is up to us to let them into our lives and the lives of our children. 

April is Autism Awareness Month.  So take a moment, or two, or three and learn more about autism.  It is such a wide and varying condition.  If you know an autistic child, make the time to spend with them.  Get to know them a little better.  I guarantee that they will touch your life in a way you never saw coming.