A Blaine Day
Today was Blaine Day. It's been several weeks since I've been able to spend any great amount of time with him due to our schedules. After discussing it on Friday, we thought our best chance would be today.
I woke him up via phone call on my way in to town at 10 and told him he better get showered and changed cuz I was picking up donuts and going to be there in a 1/2 hour to work.
He was ready...and work we did. We started out in his kitchen and did everything ...I mean..everything. We washed dishes, put them away, wiped down the counters, cleaned out the refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven. Then we (ok, me), scrubbed the floor.
I tackled his bathroom while he started on cleaning his bedroom. (We both had our work cut out for us!) But we made it and no HazMat suits were needed!
At 12:30 we gave ourselves one hour to dust and vacuum and finish everything up so we could treat ourselves to beer and burgers at IDK.. (We beat the clock with 8 minutes to go!).
The cleaning may have been the main topic of the day but in my opinion, Blaine was my objective. He's a totally different person when you get him in a relaxed setting and visit one-on-one. He doesn't refer to his disability a lot, but today we talked about his future and what he wants to do. He always has dreams, and dreams big. In the past he's talked about going to college and coaching. I listen and let him talk. After all, who am I to rain on his dreams.
But today was a little different. I felt his energy the moment I walked in the door. He was in a talkative mood but it was different today. His feet were planted on the ground and we talked about some of his worries (how long can he keep moving carts at Wal-Mart - after all, "I'm not getting any younger.") and why I didn't have kids ("maybe God wanted me to be your son") Yes, that one made me tear up...even now as I type it out.
We talked a LOT about Grandpa and Grandma Schulz and how he dreams of them - and his dog Keshia; he's pretty sure they're looking out for him from heaven. There were a lot more things we talked about but I won't betray his trust or confidence in my ability to keep things secret. (That being said, I will most definitely do so if I feel his well being and day-to-day living abilities are in jeopardy or at risk and will inform his parents immediately).
I do not know what brought on this reflective mood. I'm not going to second guess it.
He needed someone to talk to and get some things off his mind. He was ready to talk and I was there for him.
I woke him up via phone call on my way in to town at 10 and told him he better get showered and changed cuz I was picking up donuts and going to be there in a 1/2 hour to work.
He was ready...and work we did. We started out in his kitchen and did everything ...I mean..everything. We washed dishes, put them away, wiped down the counters, cleaned out the refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven. Then we (ok, me), scrubbed the floor.
I tackled his bathroom while he started on cleaning his bedroom. (We both had our work cut out for us!) But we made it and no HazMat suits were needed!
At 12:30 we gave ourselves one hour to dust and vacuum and finish everything up so we could treat ourselves to beer and burgers at IDK.. (We beat the clock with 8 minutes to go!).
The cleaning may have been the main topic of the day but in my opinion, Blaine was my objective. He's a totally different person when you get him in a relaxed setting and visit one-on-one. He doesn't refer to his disability a lot, but today we talked about his future and what he wants to do. He always has dreams, and dreams big. In the past he's talked about going to college and coaching. I listen and let him talk. After all, who am I to rain on his dreams.
But today was a little different. I felt his energy the moment I walked in the door. He was in a talkative mood but it was different today. His feet were planted on the ground and we talked about some of his worries (how long can he keep moving carts at Wal-Mart - after all, "I'm not getting any younger.") and why I didn't have kids ("maybe God wanted me to be your son") Yes, that one made me tear up...even now as I type it out.
We talked a LOT about Grandpa and Grandma Schulz and how he dreams of them - and his dog Keshia; he's pretty sure they're looking out for him from heaven. There were a lot more things we talked about but I won't betray his trust or confidence in my ability to keep things secret. (That being said, I will most definitely do so if I feel his well being and day-to-day living abilities are in jeopardy or at risk and will inform his parents immediately).
I do not know what brought on this reflective mood. I'm not going to second guess it.
He needed someone to talk to and get some things off his mind. He was ready to talk and I was there for him.
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