I Am That Tiger

by Mia on August 25, 2009 · 7 comments

in Blogosphere,Femininity,Special Needs

(Photo By: G-Na)
Ready To Pounce-g-naThere are many times I feel impassioned about Alex’s special needs.  Many times I feel a ferocious roar in my throat, feel the hardening of my limbs as they unwillingly move into an unbending stance, preparing to pounce at any wrong word, any misspoken tone, any gesture clearly not thought out.  Even towards my husband.

There’s something about being a mother of a child with special needs.  I feel it for my other two, my beautiful “neurotypical” children; a feeling all parents, most especially mothers have.  But there’s an edge to being a mother of a child with Alex’s needs.  A salient threshold that’s uncontrollable in nature.

You seek to protect at every turn.  Your insight, your foresight goes beyond the normal, natural boundaries of parenthood.  You develop a sight of future endeavors, challenges, hurts, struggles, triumphs.  Your vigilance in every experience, every breath is heightened only with the blanket of humanity’s nature holding you back.  And this is in a simple walk through a grocery store; in a quick encounter with a peer from school; while watching on during child’s play in the neighborhood.

Eyes wide, perched, taking in all that surrounds my Alex, listening to words placed upon him, to whispers floating around him; expressions on faces, a quick glance there, a grimace there, I watch…I wait.

I am that Tiger.

{ 7 comments }

1 Talon August 25, 2009 at 8:06 am

I can understand how you would be extra-vigilant and extra ferocious Mama Tigress with Alex. As I’ve said before, he’s blessed to have you.

2 Mom August 25, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Kiddo – you could not describe this part of you watching over Jackson better. It’s powerful … and so real. Jackson’s blessed to have you watching over him.

3 Mia August 25, 2009 at 9:42 pm

Talon, Mom~ Thank you both. I am blessed to have him.

4 Jannie Funster August 26, 2009 at 5:21 pm

Rawwwwrrrr!

I’m ready! Lets’ kick some butt for our special childrens’ sake.

Or maybe use soft claws, as tigers generally gad about barefoot as I recall.

5 Mia August 27, 2009 at 8:08 am

Jannie Funster~ Love the roar!

6 elizabeth August 27, 2009 at 5:58 pm

Yes. I, too, am that tiger. I like where you went with this post.

7 Mia August 27, 2009 at 7:29 pm

Elizabeth~ Thanks for visiting and commenting! There are times that we all need to be tigers, that’s for sure!

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