It was the student teacher's last day today and they were planning a little party. I was providing the special cupcakes(ones Riley can eat), so I drove her to school. Seth was home from preschool with a fever, so I dragged him along in his P.J.'s to drop off the girl and her goodies. Unbeknownst to us, today was also The Cat in the Hat's birthday and the school was celebrating. Upon entering the building, the entire office staff had cat faces painted on.
Riley has a very hard time with animated facial expressions. The sight of all the grown-ups she knows with their faces painted freaked her out. She started to escalate as we walked to her class and by the time we got inside she was panicked. The longer I stayed to try to calm her, the more upset she got anticipating my leaving. Her teacher picked her up and began trying to soothe her in the rocking chair. I knew her teacher (whom she loves and trusts) could handle it. Seth and I walked hand in hand down the long hallway and out of the building, closing the door on her screams behind us.
Something was different today though. I wasn't a wreck. I can't explain exactly how I came home and went about my day without worrying, but I did. Would my worrying make it any easier for Riley? Was this an opportunity for her to get through a crises without me?
This afternoon I parked in front of the school as usual. Riley hid behind the student teacher as they walked toward the van. As they got up close, a kitten stepped out from behind the student teacher. She had on Riley's pink coat, and Riley's hair, but she was all cat.
Riley got her face painted today for the first time in her life.
She wound up having a good time.
She was beaming.
So am I.
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15 comments:
And so am I.
(also? how do i make the ads work for you? do i click on them four thousand times? or is it just enough that i come to your site?)
I get paid by how many times people click on the ads. But I am not supposed to solicit for ad clicks. It's against the law.
What you do is entirely up to you.
:)
FANTASTIC!
My eyes don't seem to understand how happy this post made me. They're leaking all over my face.
It's snowing here on the pond. One male cardinal is sitting in the tree outside my window. He is bright and bold and beautiful against the gray day.
He reminds me of you. He reminds me of Riley.
You guys remind me of the tremendous power of love. The Un-$%#&-ingbeLIEVable power of love.
What a wonderful, triumphant, and happy day!! Thanks for spreading the joy.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go read a LOT more about the imagery-language connection and autism v. celiac disease.
Good post, Michelle. Sounds like Riley is full of surprises. Life certainly isn't boring, that's for sure.
And here I thought the teacher had a real kitten that was dressed up just like Riley until I read that it was a face painting. Cool. I like that when people write like that.
Thanks for sharing glimspes of your life with Riley.
woo hoo! and other really loud cheers!
I love these Riley victories. They are the sweetest most wonderful stories of courage and bravery. Hooray for Riley!
Yippee! Love that teacher. Love your decision to go home and not worry. Love Riley and her unbreakable spirit.
such a good story...love riley, love you!
It's a great thing to learn how to walk away from the crying child. But oh, that can be the longest walk. And it feels so great when it becomes just a walk to the car. Love the image.
YAY Riley! WAY TO GO!!!!
Pefection on a page!
Man, that is so sweet! yay! :)
:)
:)
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