No coughing or sneezing allowed!  Seriously????  Jacob cannot stand it.  Not sure if it startles him, hurts his ears, germ phobia (NOT!), or what.  All I can say is if you do either, there is a good chance you’ll receive his wrath.  He has a radar and if he is in another room but hears either, he will come find you.  You’ve been warned.  He may quickly grab your shirt to startle you or he may give you the stink eye letting you know he means business.  Funny thing is he’s trained me so well that even when he isn’t around, I realize I try to stifle a sneeze or hide a cough.  Okay, so that is not funny.  Now obviously this isn’t healthy but you do what ya gotta do to keep Jacob happy!

 

October 15th is a date that is seared in my mind. Some years it comes and goes without much thought and others it is so present I can’t escape the memories. Today was the latter as we attended a Caregivers Connection meeting. I received helpful information and good tips. Certainly connecting with others in similar situations helps to support each other. Many people become caregivers to aging parents and their lives are turned upside down later in life. I’ve been a hands on caregiver for over 39 years now.  Pretty much 24/7 with short respites thanks to family and sitters.  There are many parents of children with disabilities in this same club.

The year was 1980 when Mike and I borrowed my parent’s blue Cadillac and took Jacob to Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. His pediatrician had finally agreed with me that he wasn’t developing as he should. After a day of testing, we met with the neurologist where we heard things like, “he’ll never progress as other children. He may not talk or even walk.” “Prepare for a life long battle.” “Severe.”  “Profound.”  I was such a young mother and really didn’t have a clue what Dr. Tardo was explaining.  Certainly not at all prepared for what we were hearing.  Could not grasp what this would look like for our future.  I remember asking, “is it possible he can catch up by the time he’s in first grade?”  Shaking her head, “I’m sorry Mr. & Mrs. Pigford”.  What a hard day as we sat in the car and held each other crying. Her written report used the term “globally retarded”. To say my dreams for Jacob and our family were shattered, is the biggest understatement of all times. We were quickly surrounded by family and friends who loved on us in amazing tangible ways.  A friend brought butterscotch sundaes from Dairy Queen. A minister from our church prayed with and over us. Immediate and extended family cried and prayed.  There were countless shared tears. And so, so many cards of love and encouragement. We knew we weren’t alone. One of the sweet things shared with us soon after our return home was this poem. While I haven’t understood God choosing me, it helped restore my hope. Jacob wasn’t a mistake and God would most certainly provide. The gift of Jacob was straight for the heart of God. The pain of October 15, 1980 isn’t forgotten but the assurance of perfect healing one day far outweighs its crippling power over me.

HEAVEN’S SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from Earth.
It was time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above,
“this special child will need much love.
His progress may be very slow.
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he’ll require extra care
from the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or laugh or play.
His thoughts may seems quite far away.
So many times he will be labeled
different, helpless, and disabled.
So, let’s be careful where he’s sent.
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
will do a special job for you.
They will not realize right away
the leading role they re asked to play
But with this child sent from above
comes stronger faith, and richer love.
And soon they’ll know the privilege given
in caring for their gift from heaven.
Their precious charge so meek and mild
is heaven’s very special child.”

by Edna Massimilla

“Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase. Hakuna Matata! Ain’t no passing craze. It means no worries for the rest of your days.  It’s our problem-free philosophy. Hakuna Matata!”

 

Those are words from one of Jacob’s favorite songs.  He usually gets attached to a couple of toys and they become a security blanket of sorts.  Many years ago that happened with a Disney toy that played this song from Lion King.  He takes it wherever he goes so everyone in his life thinks of Jacob when they hear this song.  Thus, the name of this blog.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have no worries?  Adopt a problem-free philosophy?  In John 16:33, Jesus says,  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

While I’d be the first to say it is hard, next to impossible, to live problem-free, doesn’t believing God’s word help us leave our worries and problems with Him?  Maybe that’s why Jacob loves this song.  His innocent child-like heart doesn’t focus on what’s wrong like mine does!!  While we know life is hard for him, I trust he is able to worry less because he knows his parents are watching out for him.  A good lesson for me as my heavenly father is most certainly watching out for his children.