That is the question in our lives right now. The Turner family is trying to find a normal. Truly normal does not exist, Just an Illusion of that. What is normal for us is abnormal for others and vice versa.Our normal may be the the calm before the storm or even the storm itself.
Those calm days are cherished and a breath of fresh air and you enjoy them in those moments. But, and yes there is a but, you feel like you are holding your breath for the next angry explosion or the instantaneous meltdown, because they seem to eventually arrive. And that wonderful red balloon of joy is popped.
The Teen is in counseling once a week and he likes his counselor. The counselor is male and is big as in weightlifting big. We are hoping that having a male counselor will allow him to open up about his past and how it is affecting his now. Plus maybe rein in the girl crazy behavior . He is 15 but he is not that emotionally. Hard to believe in a few years he will be a man. I pray that he will be a man of God.
Princess received a new med regime. Right now it is working wonders. No meltdowns, no screaming or screeching. Her impulsive behavior has been in check. Her tendency to be a raccoon,(she sees something shiny (or appealing) and “borrows” it and hide it in her many nooks and crannies) seems to continue. My secretary even found hidden suckers and candy placed in hiding spots throughout the church.
You have to laugh or you will go nutso. Sometimes the Beloved and I think we aren’t far from it. There are times we are so stressed or worried that we turn on each other and not to each other. These aren’t long term or dirty fights. They are more short spats due to frustration and our inability to fix everything. Right now, some of is due to finances and the additional cost of the move (aka ripoff moving company) which has put us in a bind going forward. Hopefully we will soon see a settlement and can move on from this.
Our other children, known as the Bigs, are doing well and they are happy; The Soldier is settling in to a new aspects of family. He received his promotion and my grand baby will be seven tomorrow. The Blessed One (as dubbed by his siblings) is taking a year off of work and going down under to Oz. Such an opportunity. I admit I am envious. Sis is starting a new job and family life suits her with her high school crush. Our Freespirit is fierce, independent and has her own unique beat.
How blessed we are to have this mix n match crew of Bigs and Littles. Each unique and individual with their own personalities. They vary in faith journey, poltics, sports teams and life experiences but they are family and they hold deep to that fact. The Bigs don’t understand the Littles or our desire to have adopt them at our ages (we are their parents thus we are old). The Littles idolize the Bigs even at times wanting to live with them. (That scares the Bigs to death, they really hope we don’t croak until the Littles are adults.)
We know without our faith we would not have the strength we do have to move forward. Praying, being in the word and taking time to abide in God and receive his Grace are keys to our success. And when we falter, fail or totally screw up…it’s OK because we have the forgiveness but also the deep abiding love in Christ.
Someone told me once they thought I was to open in what I write and share about. That I don’t keep enough things private or I show too much of ourselves. I started this blog to go through my stroke journey. I prayed before it shifted to the family. God revealed to me that there are folks that may need to know they aren’t alone dealing with special need kids or a multi generation family (born in 50’s, 60’s, 80’s and 2000’s). People need to know God is with us through our good times, normal times or bad times.
I guess that is why we aren’t normal we are no where near perfect, we our flawed, we have a warped sense of humor, we do not wear rose colored glasses but most importantly we our children of God sharing our days one day at a time and often one minute at a time.
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