Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Life with Nick: The Beginning

   My younger son Nick was born in 1990.  On that day I had my water broken.  With each contraction, his heart rate dropped.  The doctors informed me with each one, he was in distress.  Hours later, he was delivered by Caesarean section.  When I viewed my baby son, his eyes were tightly closed and he wore his disdain with a pout on his lips.
  By all accounts, I believed him to be a normal baby.  He suffered a high hernia and was prone to debilitating colic.   When I tried singing to him, he cried worse.  (Talk about a hit to my ego!)  He wouldn’t allow me to read to him.  Initially he wasn’t a cuddly baby.  He would squirm from my embrace.  I simply ignored it.  I’d nuzzle him to my heart’s content.
  It wasn’t long before he began displaying peculiar behavior. He was two years old when we noticed.  Nick would twirl around and around in like a top without getting dizzy.  He played with pots and pans like other toddlers would regular toys.   He loved Hot Wheels cars, but he’d made them walk and talk, stroking them across his cheek.  It was hard to potty train him; he decided to finally go just before he turned three years old.   Direct eye contact was scarce.  He would babble incoherently and flap his arms like a chicken.   Loud noises caused him to cover his ears.  He seemed to close into himself.  When he became older, he was obsessed with deceased family members.
   Although I noticed, I chose to ignore it.  Every child is not supposed to be the same.   However, my in-laws broached the subject about getting him checked out by a doctor.  I was overprotective, holding firm he would eventually outgrow the abnormalities he displayed.  Soon, the Husband pressed the issue and irritated, I made an appointment with our family doctor, if only to prove a point nothing was wrong with him.
    But there was.
    Nick had Autism Spectrum Disorder, a serious developmental social disability which affects approximately 1% of children in the U. S.  Autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age, making it the fastest growing disorder in the U.S.  In all, autism now affects 1 in 88 children. During Nick’s diagnosis, the percentile was smaller.  ASD can be associated with intellectual frailty, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. 
    I must confess I was crushed.  Did my sins fall upon my son?  Was my body faulty?  Did I carry too much stress?  As a mother, I felt I failed him somehow.  Once I got over feeling sorry for myself, I had come to realize this occurrence was one of life’s happenstances.
   His dad and I were determined to do the best for him.  The Husband never handled Nick with kid gloves.  He taught our son to tolerate loud noises such as thunder.  I was his advocate within the Guilford County School System, never allowing his records to replicate him as “retarded” when he clearly wasn’t.  I would take him to therapists, be available anytime his instructors needed me.  I took him with me wherever I went.  I exposed him to activities like the zoo, musicals, and plays.
     The road to now hadn’t been easy.  It had taken a lot of work and a lot of prayer.  We were fortunate Nick was not as severely impaired as some of his counterparts.   There’s what’s called ‘steps’ – 21 in all – which make up the total spectrum.  The more steps a child has in his genetic make-up, the more severely challenged he or she may be.
  We refused to treat him like an invalid.
   To our delight, he is very smart and outgoing.  Sometimes new things challenge him, but he adapts to various situations.  Nick is an autistic person who maneuvers life independently.   He has Asperger’s autism, one in which is high functioning.   He is a stickler for orderly living.  Everything in his room has a place and it stays put – unless his brother moves things just to get to him!  He keeps his own banking account.  He attends community college.  He holds down a job.  He drives his own car.  He is extremely friendly, a proper social butterfly.
   It takes a village to raise an autistic family member.   Our extended family as well as our church family loves him without fail.  Nick’s idiosyncrasies may be strange, but they are endearing and they are a part of Nick’s character.   I stand in awe of his resilience and self-reliance.  He won’t allow me to baby him.    His gentle demeanor commands respect.
  Having a challenged son has its rewards.  Life through his eyes is more simplistic.  His smile is my smile.  His accomplishments have me shouting so much with joy he’ll hiss “Mom!  People can hear you!”
  On occasion I wonder what he would be like if he were “normal”, you know ..with a girlfriend, his own place, children of his own, etc.  God has control over that as He had the whole time.
  The clearness of it all is Nick is his kind of normal.  I wouldn’t change a thing about him.  He is indeed my angel on Earth.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Suicide


You're in the clouds.  No more pain.
You're in God's lap.  I keep calling your name.
You're the mid child, wild child, all-the-way-live child,
That 'girl is on fire' child.

The first time, glazed eyes and charcoal promises
Flowed like a babbling brook. 
I'll get better.  Wait and see.
You meant it then.

The second time, you grabbed my hand
After the bucket I fetched
Just before you wretched.
You meant it then.

The third time you splashed
Daddy's pills down with Seagram's.
The good stuff.  There were so many
Empty bottles.
You meant it then.

He never knew when he flew
Away a few weeks after you;
How shocked he probably was
When he saw you!
How we wept over you!

I got your stuff,
Went through your stuff,
Gave away your stuff
To Goodwill.

How I wish your ass would've
Came and asked me why I
Messing with your stuff.

You'd tell me I was I was
Crazy talking to myself,
But you didn't. 

You never came.
There's no one to blame
Because you were gone
Just the same

 Cia say your butt
Had not business doing that.
She's mad.  I am, too;
But I can't judge you.
That's Supreme Court stuff.

I didn't see,
Couldn't see,
Didnt' want to see.
Tried to believe.
 
But what better place
For you than Paradise?
It must be nice
Than you ain't hurting
No  more.

 
 

Copyright November 24, 2013 by Elle Chrystopher
All rights reserved.

 

 

*Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys

About Libras


Chubby? Try FAT!

     OK.  I admit it.  I am now fat!  It took a long time to get this way, but believe me .. I don't like it one bit. 
     I know how rude folks are to those of us who are.  It doesn't matter the reason how one gets here.  Those of you that aren't have neither sympathy nor words of encouragement for me.  I have to dig deep again to move it and lose it.
     Twenty-four years ago you wouldn't have called me active.  I didn't know what the word meant!  I had given birth to my second child and, after beginning a new job and having to suffer snide comments about my post-baby silhouette, I took drastic measures and got rid of it in nine months. 
     Fast forward to 2013.  I had not only lost both my dad and sister within weeks of each other, I had developed PTSD.  I was -- still am -- on major psyche meds to get mentally in balance.  (If you'd ever been on this stuff, you'd know how much they both level you brain chemicals and simultaneously slow your energy down.  And did I say it also places major weigh on your ass?)  At 5'2 and 52 years of age, I weight 192 lbs.  The good news is my rings still fit, my nose haven't spread, and I'm still pretty! 
     My musculature is still evident, but Lord!  The belly, hips, and thighs are taking a beating!  Dang if I don't look like a middle aged woman!  Da-yum!
     I am still a free-spirit, still flirtatious, still a struggling, writing Libra.  However, how much more healthy I would be if I can get this health thing back in control.  I went to the nearby Urgent Care to take care of a pesky migraine when the nurse asked me if I had taken my blood pressure meds.
    "I don't take that" I replied stiffly.  I had always had disgustingly low pressure.
    "Oh" Nurse responded.  She didn't believe me.
     Da-yum!  Now I had to contend with high blood pressure! 
     I am pear-shaped.  I am not in danger of a stroke -- at least, not at the moment.  Both my parents had hypertension, but my mom had diabetes.  Fat's not helping a thing!
     So, I'm back, literally, to Square 1.  I do work out, but not consistently.  I am a martial artist.  However, I have to do more to look svelte in my gi.  My latest journey is getting back down to a manageable size.
     Lord have mercy!
  
  
  
     

Writing Assignment


      I am struggling with my last moments and I knew it. 
     The room -- my daughter's room -- in which had been my home for the last few months seem softly bright.  I at least imagined it was against the earth tones  she had it painted.  I cast furtive glances at the window, hoping to see the greenery beyond it.  But my vision was blurry and fuzzy, smearing across the once crisp view.  In one corner, my two daughters, magically coming in perfect view, stood within the door frame.  I took in to what I believe may have been the television set, its sound muted.  It's been my buddy for the most part, but even this had abandoned me. I hardly could hear the blasting gunfire of 'The Rifleman".   My buggy, a.k.a. the walker, stood sentry at the foot of the bed.  I hadn't used it for weeks.
     Thirsty.  So thirsty.  My youngest, Alexis, rushed to get a dropper to dampen my dry lips.  She murmured comforting words, but just like her sister behind her, her expression was troubled and anguished, though they both fought hard not to show it.  I couldn't comfort either of them.

     It took everything I had to breathe.   The pain was coming in waves, reverberating within my body like drum beats.  The liquid morphine shoves the excruciating pain deep within a distant corner of my mind.  I didn't want Alexis to see any more tears.  She's so strong.  I don't know what I'd of done without her nor Andrea.  I sigh raggedly.  Thank God for that medicine.
     A cool hand touches my arm. I couldn't tell what it was.  A nurse.  Her name is Heather.  I imagine she is a pretty young thing.  I smile.  I can just envision Andrea rolling her eyes.  She'd fuss about my flirting.  I would deny it.  She would promptly remind  me how much she was like me and she, with a theatrical sigh, would sass she wasn't in the least bit impressed.

     After my vitals were recorded, Heather soothed calmly "Everything will be just fine."  I think I smiled. 
     My body is like a million heavy bricks, yet it moved fretfully.   I wore a t-shirt and a light cotton sheet covered my waist.  The faintest of Old Spice wafted across my nostrils.

    Instantly, each daughter held a hand.  The three of us knew time was short.  These two were the alpha and the omega of my five daughters.  I couldn't be more loved than I am now.
   My chest was heaving.  I couldn't say anything but I could hear what both girl-women were saying to me.  My baby was telling me Ma was waiting for me.  (I'd told them one day I would be on top of their mama.)  My first born, the emotional one of the group, whispered in my ear about what a righteous dad I was.  I focused on her, her watery smirk.  Andrea couldn't let go on my hand, so she placed her left hand on my chest, relaxing my taxing heart. 

    I heard Mable calling me.  In an instant, I saw her.  My beautiful wife.  It's been four years since I let her go.
   At once,  I was a kite being taken up in a gentle draft.  I hadn't been this fit, this agile since I was a young man.  I wanted to beat my chest vigorously when I suddenly realized I was viewing my daughters sobbing.  My head drooped to the one side.  A single, glistening tear stained the pillow. 
  My God.  I am free.

 After a final glance, I went in search of Mable. 

Copyright November 25, 2013 by Elle Chrystopher
All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Life with Nick

     I have a habit of taking the spoken word literally, but my son Nick does as well. He is the sweetest, most thoughtful young man.  He is intelligent and completely wise beyond his years.   As an Asperger’s Autistic person, he is so much more than I have imagined.  Had the Husband and I listened to the negativity and impending doom of the doctors who diagnosed him,  Nick would not be the person God intended him to be.  In fact, the only reason Nick was taken to specialists in the first place was to prove to my in-laws nothing was wrong with him. 
     Nevertheless, on occasion I find I have to be very careful on how I explain things to him.
Take last night for example. I work second shift. I was exhausted when I came home.  Nick and the dog greeted me.  After I kissed them both, I went straight to the kitchen to make me some Sleepy Time tea. I ran tap water in my mug and placed it in the microwave.
    “I’ll make the tea for you, Mom” Nick volunteered. I smiled.
    “OK. Put two teabags in the water after the microwave goes off.” Handing him a teaspoon, I then bade him to add one teaspoon of honey into the mug. I left him to get out of my clothes.
When I came out of the bathroom, the steaming cup was waiting for me. Gratefully, I took a healthy gulp.
     I began gagging. Running around the room, waving my hands furiously, I darted to the bathroom to cough up the contents.
    When I came out, Terry stared at me strangely from our bed.   I composed myself and stalked to the end table.  I turned on the light.  I peered into my cup and noticed the shredded tea leaves floating on the surface like pond scum.
     I frowned and showed the Husband the cup.  He exploded in hearty laughter.
     Sighing, I called my son. Still sputtering tea leaves, I proceeded to show him to correct way to steep tea.

So why blog?

    As a writer, this is what I desire to do.  What I'd always wanted to do. 
    Of course I want to get a readership and learn as I go along to my goal .. to become a published writer. 
    But, you say, you are.  You are blogging.  This is writing.
    Ah, I respond in kind.  But I want to get paid for some if it.
    Which, naturally would be the ultimate goal.  To become a "paid" published writer!
    On my car is a peace sign -- two fingers making a "V"  with the words "write on!" on the back passenger's side of my car, the banged-up Mazda CX-7 which desperately needs a body repair.  On the back driver's side are the words "Look Ma!  No hands!" in salute to my mom who passed away almost five years ago.  She knew how much I loved to write poetry.
     On the rearview window are your complimentary AAA sticker and two denoting my elder son, a U. S. Marine.  He'll be home from boot camp in about a month.
     But getting back to why I'm blogging.  I want to!  I want to write and share my honesty while getting more into my writing.  I'm reading various styles of writing in random search of my own variation of the "written-yet-spoken word". 
     I'm in my favorite room in the house, my den.  It's scattered with books and magazines.  Paper lanterns are hanging in one corner, while unfolded clothes are strewn upon the brown sofa I got from my deceased sister.  (Suicide.  More on that later.)  I have a bulletin board, movie posters, whimsical word art from Wal-Mart, a color television, and plants.  The blinds allow the November sun to filter  inside.  I have a thing for lions.  I have a few stuffed ones, including a Simba from the Lion King Musical I'd seen with the Husband a few months back, my college mascot, and a couple more stuffed ones.  I have an Egyptian Cat figurine on the book shelf to my left.  To the right of my monitor sits a lion mug with my pens and markers.  To the left of my monitor sits a picture of my late parents .. my dad passed away last December.
     On the floor is a picture of Ernestine Shepherd, the Guinness Book record holder as a 75-year-old national body builder. 
     My precious pup, Kovu, the Wonder Dog, is laying behind me playing possum.  We both had a blog on MSN years ago.  Now, I'm on Blogger doing it again.
     This is where I'll spend a lot of my time writing. 
     This, friends, is my haven.
    

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Pretty Chubby

Why would any one in her right mind name her blog "pretty chubby"? 

Maybe it's because over the last few years, I'd gained fifty pounds.  Maybe it's because I am a comely wench in spite of the extra pounds.  Maybe it's because I enjoy a play on words.  Maybe it's because it is true.

I am pretty.  I am also chubby.

I am pretty chubby at 192 lbs.

So, I'm here trying to find my way back to a normalcy I once had before life took over and I forgot about taking care of me along the way.  I am five foot two, and I can tell you it's not a healthy state of being I am at the moment.  I must search my soul, stop being so lazy, and get on with it.

What I am is pretty chubby, but I don't plan on staying that way.

Welcome to my world of zaniness.  At the age of fifty-two, I had many years to perfect it.