Just as I was about to ask if she remembered where the trash can was, I realized what they were.
Jagged cut squares with penciled in pictures, some printed from the computer,
and she was searching the house for velcro.
A communication board.
A way to communicate for children with autism who cannot speak.
She was making one of her own?
But she has words, an unlimited vocabulary that is impossible to quiet.
But there was a day she did not.
A day when I velcroed and laminated and cut out the words we needed most.
Sleep. Eat. Bus.
So today, I am forgiving the mountain of paper on the floor and the ravaged drawers.
My teenager is making a communication board for a little girl at camp who cannot speak.
And for this,
I have no words.
——————–
This post is linked up with
Prompt #2: Write about a child you find inspiring.
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So very very sweet!
You must be so proud of her. I don’t even know her and I’m proud!
That is so precious and sweet. I adore when our children surprise us with their massive huge hearts and tender gestures.
and this shows what a great momma you are, my friend. so wonderful.
Oh my goodness! So sweet. I can see why you have no words.
Oh, so awesome. You must be dripping with mama pride.
PS Love the new look.
Thanks so much, I am so proud.
I have lots of tears, and no words, after reading this.
What a special, sweet girl you have!
Now I am the one with no words. But I do have plenty of tears. This was so simply, yet powerfully written, Jessica. Ashlyn is awesome and inspiring, just like YOU! thanks for sharing this special moment with us.
xoxoo
What a wonderful post and an amazing girl =)
I work for a hospice company and we have volunteers who make textured blankets for our dementia patients. It helps to jump start memories and also keep their hands/minds busy because they have a lot of anxiety.
What a neat idea, I have never heard of something like that. Love it.
…and neither do I.
Lovely, lovely post.
From TRDC.
Beautiful post, Jessica. Your words always inspire me, just like it sounds like your daughter inspires you. Thank you for sharing them here.
So touching & sweet.. I love when our kids go above & beyond to surprise us.
You’ve raised such an amazing young woman in your daughter!
Oh my, Jess. This took my breath away. She is amazing. It fills me with such warmth to know how far our kids can come.
It truly blew me away, to think they say kids with autism aren\’t in tune with the world around them.
I am so teary over this, Jessica….your daughter has the biggest heart. Your stories about her just put everything into perspective for me.
Your heart must just explode at times…
Beautiful! It is truly inspiring how your daughter is helping someone else.
What a terrific thing for your daughter to do. Certainly inspirational.
What an amazing daughter you have! Great post!! Stopping in from Mama Kats, and so glad I did!
Your daughter sounds amazing. So thoughtful of her to think of others.
Awwwww.
That’s all I have to say about that.
I have chills. This is gorgeous. As always. XO
Gave me chills in a good way reading this!
That is Awesome!
Your daughter is amazing!
Ashlyn is simply amazing. I can’t wait to tell Alexa about this! She’ll be so proud of her.
What a wonderful gift! She will love receiving it.
You have raised a wonderful and kind little girl. You are both truly inspiring.
This is just so beautiful. And amazing. I have no other words.
I too had goosebumps reading this and tears that came to my eyes. What a loving and amazing daughter you are raising. I definitely feel you are all blessed with each other and her compassion for other children is beautiful. She is special. Your post was perfect. I am glad I didn’t miss it.
Okay, I’m crying. And just think, some people believe that autistics have no empathy.
Oh my word I have tears. So awesome!
This is so beautiful! Your daughter is such a generous soul. You can tell that you taught her so well!
Jessica, I literally have goosebumps.
What you have taught your daughter is rare and you should be very very proud.
She is compassionate and has an abundance of empathy.
How wonderful
And those traits are ones that many say people with autism don\’t possess which makes it that much better. Love seeing her prove people wrong. Thanks Leighann!
Wow. What an amazing and generous child. You should be SO proud!
I am, thank you Rach.
Oh gosh. What a special girl you have raised. That’s a wonderful, generous thing for her to think of.
Your daughter sounds just as amazing as you!
I love it! I think we’re all inspired by your daughter…and you!!
Awesome post.
Incredible.
Such an amazing story. (And you tell it so well!)
First time here, and wow.
Powerful post…so full of hope and inspiration. Your daughter has something special to teach all of us about the struggles we face and what we do with them.
Can’t wait to click around a little more.
Amazing. Absolutely amazing, Ashlyn!
Oh Jessica…that just made me cry. How sweet of your daughter to help someone struggling with something she once had a hard time with. Wow.
WOW Jessica! What an awesome kid! Your kids always amaze me!
Oh wow! I am so moved. What a beautiful young woman you have.
That is amazing! You must be so proud of her.
That is unbelievable. It must be amazing to learn that your daughter is capable of more than you imagined.
And I love the way you wrote this. So simple, poignant and ended perfectly.
That is amazing!! And yes, so inspiring. What a wonderful thing for your daughter to do.
Now THAT is inspiring! Also, I think it shows how very much your own work with her inspired HER to help other children. Seeing and recognizing a need in someone else can be difficult for anyone to do, but taking her own experiences and figuring out a way to fulfill that need is truly special. Go Ashlyn!
What a great post. It’s amazing how few words we need to really survive and how much more we can communicate by our actions.
Truly inspiring! And what a great heart she has to see the need in someone else. You must be so proud.
She has a gift … she sees the needs of others and wants to make a difference.
It is very special!
Nicole@ByWordsMusings recently posted..
http://www.bywordofmouthmusings.com/2011/06/friendly-skies-thoughtful-thursday.html
What a wonderful young lady your daughter is. How proud you must be.
Pretty amazing what kids learn when we’re not looking, beautiful post.