I went to the Down syndrome group pot luck yesterday. Wasn't going to go but felt better about life in general after watching The Last King in Scotland. Not sure why or how they are related.
Not glad I went. Glad I went.
Good to go and watch Silvi have fun with the rest of the kids. Good to do something out of the house with Annie and Ian. They held it in a YMCA gym, with lots for the munchkins to do. About ten families showed. We played hoops, chased the kids, climbed on the indoor jungle gym, ate the typical - and very tasty - mish-mash of servings that no choice of wine would ever quite complement. Cup cakes and cookies to top it off.
Not going to make it a habit, mind you.
"No man is an island," you say? Had I been in Tom Hank's shoes in Castaway, "Wilson" would have been looking for a new home within the first week of washing ashore.
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12 comments:
Take the Down Syndrome away. Make it Lilliputian Tap Dancers or The Association of Druids named Tom. Are you a potluckin' kind of couple/family? That's my test.
Now, I bought camping gear and did that whole thing for my son - I'm not saying you don't do things for your kids. You do. Now a DS film festival, man, you'd be all over that. My point is that sometimes, it is about you. I kinda miss church potlucks, myself.
I remember the first DS gathering we went to. I sat out in the car in the parking lot and watched all the families walk in.
I was shaking. It was OK, but still difficult. Two years later, I am not going to get togethers. Not b/c I don't want to, but life gets in the way. Well, I guess that is not the whole truth, but in the words of Olivia the pig, "pretty all true."
I'm feeling an intensely introverted vibe, and I'm there with you. I break out in hives when I have to meet a bunch of new people. You can imagine how well that goes over for an associate pastor at a mega church. Sheesh.
The thing I like about "Wilson" is that he keeps his big trap shut. He just lets you be and doesn't have any expectations and makes no judgments. Still, I bet Annie appreciated the effort knowing how much you don't like that sort of thing.
That is funny. The thing about "Last King of Scotland". This as I felt the total opposite after watching it. I was so sad.
It's a brilliant film though. And Forester is great!
I wish I had a group of families to meet with. I teacher at Abbey's school has a son with DS and she invited us over for a play date. The kids had a great time. It was great to interact and talk to another local family who has had similar difficulties. Talking to others can help us get through some of our difficult times.
I like elbog's comment. Very astute.
Interesting, your comment about Wilson. I saw that movie soon after living in Africa for a year. I don't know if I'll ever watch it again because I resonated so deeply with the loneliness of the film.
elbog: you make, as usual, a good point. Not sure why I think it might be different... I find, too, that if I'm not in charge, I kind of fade into the background.
lint: "pretty all true" works for me. :)
terri: Last year I was "recruited" to host a monthly doc club where I was regularly talking to 50 - 100 people... God likes messin with me. :)
Carole: You make a good point about "Wilson;" alright, he can stay. But only if he stops looking at me with those bloodshot eyes.
And yes, Annie did appreciate it. Now she owes me *rubbing hands together*...
GIGBS: I think it was the overseas part that helped get me out into the cold. I love any films that make me feel like I've been somewhere new. The story itself was pretty depressing... and excellent.
Steve: I'd probably do much better if it was just one on one... I get lost in a crowd. Hoping you find some others to meet your social drive.
Elsie: elbog's the yoda in my blogging world. :)
You'd love The Devil wears prada; in the heart of NYC.
Yes, exactly what Elbog said...it has to be you first. I hang out with the moms first and foremost because they were cool and we all liked purse shopping and laughing about how we would like to kick this teacher or that aid in the arse.
It was more about us and our lifestyle and the fact that when someone made a joke about someone oogling our kid in the supermarket, we could all laugh. My hubby didn't hang with the DS crowd so much, but when he did there was another dad who flew into northern Canada to fish and they could talk about the finer points of Canadian fishing spots and fishing in general.
I'm laughing thinking to myself...all these commenters seem cool to hang with and share appetizers with. I wonder if we were all placed in a gymnasium we would fall victim to the "be nice" factor and not let our true selves come out.
The secret is to start with a parents only time out at a bar...after a few wines the real people come out of their "I'm a DS parent" shell.
I love reading your posts.
Kelly: Yeah, I'm thinking I bit off too much at one time. You're right about finding a few people first. That's awesome that you've got a few friends who you can hang with; my wife is making more of an effort than I am. Maybe I can live vicariously through her experiences. :)
Glad you're here. :)
hi :)
i found your blog through "unringingthebell"
i've been reading your blog for about a week.
i gave birth to my daughter, lili, who is now 6 1/2 months old (and has DS) on july 30th, 2007.
and i live in saint paul!
i think our children are only a month apart in age?
my journal is:
http://it.livejournal.com
and a journal for her specifically that i made for the 1st few months of her life is:
http://lilizuzu.livejournal.com
and when i first learned she has DS, my journal was here:
http://ana.livejournal.com
(sorry so many journals!)
anyway that is where i am at if you'd like to check us out :)
where was this potluck?
i love potluck!
and hey there...would you like to have coffee sometime with us?
i'd really like to meet another parent with a child who has DS who is also lili's age.
my email is anavoog@gmail.com
cheers,
ana
Ana: I shot you an email.
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