Take A Walk On The Normal Side

It all started with us hanging around outside.



Big D was testing out his new walking legs while Audrey was quarrying her rocks for her fledgling business (see previous post for details).



Marcus was enjoying the fresh air as well, cruising around like he knows he's hot stuff.



Little by little, we started walking further from our house.



Farther than Marcus has ever walked from our front door.



And that's when Mike and I realized we were on a walk.



Like a "we're not pushing a stroller", real kind of walk. So we headed for the college behind our neighborhood, not really sure how far we'd make it. Not really sure how far Marcus would make it.



We'd tried things like this before, but Marcus either couldn't steer himself well enough, lacked endurance, or preferred to be pushed around. But this time, there was no coaxing involved. It all came so naturally and Marcus was just ready.



Audrey, always ready to burn off some energy, led the way.



And Derek was as ready as could be, keeping up the best he could.





We walked on rocks,



And dry grass,



Where we let them loose





On the way back, Big Poppa was the first to get tired



And the Champ's legs started to expire at the last stretch



Although his smile was still going strong



When we got back home, I told Mike that I needed that little outing. Heavy-hearted due to several JS families struggling with severe needs for their children and feeling a general spiritual malaise, I felt like God breathed a little fresh air into me by allowing us to enjoy our first ever family walk.  What a typical family would consider normal and unspectacular is to us normal and extraordinary.

It's amazing how special needs has given me a profound appreciation for the details of life that I used to overlook.  And it's amazing how God can use these ordinary experiences to water my soul during the weary seasons.