{Mique Provost} a distinct path

You know Mique, right?

She’s the author of 30 Handmade Days?

The Co-Owner of Queen Bee Market?

If you don’t know Mique…you should.

She’s rad.

Beyond her bloggy and crafty talents, she is a mama too.

And her oldest boy rearranged her life.

In ways that Mique has often expressed to me as nothing short of amazing.

Difficult oftentimes…but amazing.

(If you are new here, check the FAQs to see what this is all about)

* * * *

Age 10:
Babysitter to 5 kids.
Duties- tended to kids, cleaned up ant infested sink of dishes, and read stories until they fell asleep.
Loved: when the kids went to bed and I could watch tv. :)

Yes I worked between 15 to 18 but didn’t think my time at Rubio’s or
washing football players jock straps in a laundry room at my college applied to my story.

Age 19:
Mail sorter in mail room.
Duties- sort mail.
Worked with a fun bunch of people including one funny guy who happened to have Down Syndrome and another quirky kid who was on the autism spectrum.
Loved: sharing stories with co-workers.

Age 20:
Teacher aide for two 10 yr old silly boys who had Down Syndrome.
Loved: When they remembered anything that I taught them. ;)

Age 22:
First time Mom to Jonathan.
Loved: My #1’s sparkly blue eyes, killer smile and overall easy disposition.

Excuse the grainy pic- 10 1/2 yrs ago

The first couple of years as a mom are a blur to me. I remember his birth, his first smile, when he sat up….all the big stuff. I was well on my way to being the mother of six (ha!) that I had always wanted.
Life kicked into high gear when at two years old, my JJ was diagnosed with autism a few weeks after my daughter was born. I will never ever forget the feeling that overcame me when we realized J had autism. It was of the “this has to be a nightmare. I need to just wake up” variety.
When I look back on the years that led me up to becoming a mom, I realize that my life has had a distinct path. One that I never sought out or wished for, but that readied me for my role as a mom to a child with special needs.
The years since that D{iagnosis} -day, have been spent soul searching. There has been happiness, laughter, joy, fun and kindness. There has also been sadness, guilt, anger, loneliness, judgment and everything in between.

Underlying everything is a wonderfully fantastic boy that has pushed me to my limits and taught me what life is all about. I will never again take for granted life’s {small or big} milestones. When my friends complained that their kids talked too much, I was begging for my son to say a single word. When I heard them talk of their kids being super smart and excelling, all I wanted was a child that was “typical.” Let me be clear, my J is intelligent, he just learns differently than most. ;) The day that J said “I love you Mommy” at 3 1/2, I burst into tears and thought I had arrived as his mother.

And I could still forever be lost in his piercing blue eyes, gut laugh and Cheshire cat smile.
Undeniably, Jonathan is a special soul and I am a daughter of God working hard to be the mother he needs. He has changed me at my very core. He is helping to shape my husband and two (cute, fun) other kids into empathetic and compassionate people as well.

The many jobs I’ve had, have paved the way for the life that I never expected. My J has shown me that the best job I could ever have, I never applied for.

* * * *

And now for a moment of brutal honesty:

Sometimes I sort of let the word Autism roll off my back.

I hear it so often.

It’s everywhere I look.

I see the colorful puzzle pieces and…like the pink ribbons of breast cancer…

I forget that there are FACES behind it.

Real kids.  Real families.  Real challenges.

But the fact is that Autism affects 1 in every 91 children in the United States.

There is no medical detection or cure for Autism.

It’s NOT just a puzzle piece poster.

It’s real.

And Mique has chosen the most *incredible* charity to fundraise for:

Surfers Healing.

I spent about twenty minutes on their site just looking around.

Amazing.

“Surfers Healing was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz.Their son, Isaiah, was diagnosed with autism at age three. Like many autistic children, he often suffered from sensory overload– simple sensations could overwhelm him. The ocean was the one place where he seemed to find respite.

A former competitive surfer, Israel hit upon an idea–with Isaiah on the front of his surfboard, and Izzy steering from the back, the two spent the day surfing together. Surfing had a profound impact on Isaiah. Israel and Danielle decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children. They began to host day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing.”

Super cool, huh?

Give to Surfer’s Healing.

In honor of JJ.

In honor of the faces and families behind those colored puzzle pieces.

And, as a fun side note, let’s try a giveaway again!

For every dollar you donate to Surfers Healing, you will get one entry to win an Allora Handmade Statement Bracelet!

(Give $1, get one entry.  Give $20, get twenty entries).

Gorgeous isn’t it?

In the color of your choice!

Love.

You can also get an entry to win by following the Life.Rearranged blog.  Just leave a comment letting me know you did!  :)  (1 entry max)

Spread the word!

Happy Monday all!!!

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jeannett

I'm a mom to four. A wife to one. I believe in story. I love telling you about mine and would love to hear yours. There's really no sense in wasting our suffering and not sharing in each other's joy. We're all in this together...even if it doesn't always feel like it.

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