Richard and I returned from Jerusalem and the icare4autism conference Friday evening. It was so good to see Emma again after being away for an entire week. The three of us spent the weekend in NYC and then flew to Colorado where we were reunited with Nic (whom I haven’t seen in a month) looked after by my doting and wonderful mother. I have at least three hours of recordings from the conference to transcribe. I must write about the conference in greater detail, I have a great deal of work to do for my business, the one that actually brings in money, and I want and need to spend time with my family. I’m tired. That’s what I keep thinking. But there’s more to it than that and I haven’t figured out yet what that exactly means. There’s panic. How am I going to get everything done? But there’s something else, something I haven’t put my finger on yet.
It’s 4 AM (I’ve been up since 3) but you could tell me it was 1 in the afternoon and I’m so turned around I’d just nod my head. So rather than say any more I’ll end with this – a little scene from last night.
Em: Play duck, duck, goose?
Me: Yeah, okay.
Em: With you (points to me) and me (points to herself) and Nicky and Daddy and Granma?
My mother: What’s duck, duck, goose?
Nic: You’ll see.
Everyone sits at the dining room table as Emma stands waiting.
Em: (Going around the table, while placing her hand on each person’s head) Snow. Snow. Snow. Snow.
My mother: Should I do something?
Nic: No Granma. You have to wait. She’ll say something different.
Em: (Grinning, pats Granma on the head) Raining!
Richard: Oh no! Emmy you have to pick someone else, Granma can’t run.
My mother: (Looking horrified) I’m suppose to run?
Me: (Laughing) Yes, you’re suppose to run after her.
Em: (With mischievous grin) Granma run?
Richard: No, Emmy pick someone else, Granma can’t run.
Em: (Continues to go around the table) Snow. Snow. (Puts hand on Richard’s head and hesitates. Then shouts) Raining!
This game continued for several rounds with Emma occasionally directing when things weren’t going as she felt they should.
Em: Okay. Last time for duck, duck, goose.
When she’d finished going around the table, picked someone and after lots of screaming and laughing my mother said, “That was a great game!”
Em: Play again? (Looks around the table grinning) Okay, okay, later. Play duck, duck, goose later. Tomorrow.
It’s good to be home.
Em on the High Line Sunday
Emma's Hope Book 
Welcome home! Well, I guess not home yet, uhm, welcome back to the states! When I was learning to fly and at times overwhelmed by what I was reading – stuff like aerodynamics, mechanical components and electrical systems, I reminded myself to conquer the forest (the text) one tree at a time. So each chapter of the text was a tree, and I would not see the whole, huge book, I would only see one chapter at a time. Just as you will do to get through your very long to-do list, one task at a time. And all the while, remember the awesomeness of what you did and what you are doing, and soon, you will be taking off…
Love that, one tree at a time!
Oops! I played it for real! Not very happy geese or ducks at Rufford Park! Just kidding. I recall with pleasure, goading my family to play that and many more games.
Glad that you take the time to play!
Ha! Darn it, I must have missed the twitter pic! By the way, we’re just over the mountains from your sibling. Breathing the fresh mountain air. 😉
I may find myself there next summer . . . Depends if we decide to go on Icelandic adventure. Though I will be in DC for Thanksgiving. Glad you crake the time for fresh air!
Tlingit will come in handy? Just not in DC.
Beautiful dress, BEAUTIFUL girl! Welcome home! 🙂
Thank you Becky!
It is an adorable dress. I miss my kids when I’m only away for a day. You must have been so happy to be back home.
It was an eleven plus hour flight home. Richard and I kept saying to each other, “Ten and a half hours til we see Emmy.” “Five more hours..” Yes. It was really hard being away from her that long. A first for us, but also wonderful to have those days just the two of us!
Hope you had a great trip! Can’t wait to read about the parts you haven’t posted yet. It was nice of you to blog about it while you were gone. Emma is so talkative and active at the same time. I loved reading about duck duck goose. I can’t wait till my little guy reach that stage. It was awesome to read. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
You know sometimes I forget that when Em was diagnosed when she was almost three years old she had stopped talking completely. It is incredible now to think about that. But it is true. She has come a long, long way. (And so have her parents, thankfully!)
Will start writing about the conference tomorrow!
Welcome home! Try to get some rest and sleep.
On the lighter side – I am just stopping by to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Please stop by halfpastnormal to claim your well-deserved prize and get more details. Have a fantastic day!
xo Angela http://halfpastnormal.wordpress.com
Oh Angela, I am so honored, thank you so much for nominating me. This is such a crazy couple of weeks ahead, I won’t be able to get to it though. I hope you’ll understand. I am really, really grateful to you for this. I will certainly mention you and your terrific blog in tomorrow morning’s post with a BIG thank you!
Thank you so much. Really appreciate your thinking of me and nominating me!
When I was a kid, I got a huge kick out of playing Duck Duck Goose (or Cat Cat Dog, or Drip Drip Splash, etc.) – very similarly to Emma. 🙂 I keep being reminded of that in your posts, and just wanted to share. 🙂
I love whenever you tell me about things that Em does that remind you of yourself as a kid. Not because I assume she will become like you, but because it is wonderful to hear of the commonalities. When Em was diagnosed we were led to believe there were no “adults” we could look to who might have had similar experiences as our daughter. That left her and us feeling very isolated.
It is the beginning of word play! Love that!
So glad you had a terrific trip, E. Love reading your posts!
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