Joseph's Team

There is a thank you letter from a mom to a stranger who befriended her autistic child on an airplane ride floating around the internet.  It really had me thinking about all the people who have influenced our lives since Joseph came home in June.  I thought I would share the gratitude I have for a few people:


Thank you Ms. Melissa, for setting us up with the finest school and therapies, when we were too overwhelmed to even think about what would be best for Joseph.

Thank you 12 year old boy, who we happen to run into every few months around town.  Your open curiosity about Joseph's blindness is refreshing.  You are a smart boy and I am so glad you are comfortable asking questions and not shying away.

Thank you my virtual friends who have children with special needs.  You have helped me work through so many details Mr. Google didn't tell me about before we brought Joseph home.

Thank you Mrs. April, for joyfully greeting Joseph at school each day.  You watch him walk down to his classroom and encourage him along the way.

Thank you Mr. Rich, for allowing Joseph to lick your watch every single time he arrives at school.  I know this is gross and certainly you know it, too, but you allow him to use his mouth to learn who you are and that is pure kindness.

Thank you nurse who asked me "why on earth would you adopt him" because now I am prepared for this question when someone asks again.

Thank you Mrs. Laurel, Joseph's Occupational Therapist, for genuinely loving our son.  When he hugs you, I see you close your eyes and bask in the love he is offering.

Thank you Ms. Blair, for allowing our other 5 children to sit in your waiting room so I can observe and soak in everything Mrs. Laurel is teaching Joseph.

Thank you receptionist at the pediatricians office for taking the blame when my daughter ran ahead of me and knocked you over.  You fell to the floor and I was mortified.  My hands were full with Joseph and you shouldered the responsibility, not making my daughter feel ashamed.

Thank you to my father-in-law for calling us on the phone after our short visit to let us know how you regretted not being able to hold Joseph while he slept.  It reminded us how fleeting moments can be and to embrace each one!

Thank you colleague of Jack's for making a point to ask how we are doing, even while dealing with your own grief.

Thank you to the class who walks down the hallway the same time Joseph treks to his classroom.  You are so kind to cheer his name and say, "hi," and treat Joseph like he's a rock star.  It brings me such joy to see you young boys and girls encouraging a little boy with special needs.

Thank you Mrs. Cindi, for making a point to rock Joseph at the end of each school day.  I know you have your hands full with other students, in addition to the other million tasks teachers have to fulfill in a school day.  Thank you for taking this time and building a precious bond with our son.

Thank you Mrs. Barbara, for taking pictures and videos of Joseph.  Sending him to school was not easy for this mama but those special moments you are capturing sure helps me adjust to not being with him while he's at school.

Thank you to the friends who came to the airport and stayed for 8 hours because our flight was delayed when we brought Joseph home.

Thank you mom and dad.  Really, thank you.  We know you must think we are crazy and you love us anyway.  You have gladly traveled alongside us on our life journey and encouraged us even when we have said things like, "we are moving to Guatemala!" and "doesn't this little boy look like a Townsend? We are adopting him!"

Thank you Michele and family for spending a month visiting us this summer.  This was a crucial time for our family as Joseph just came home and you loved him from the minute you met him.

Thank you Ricky and family for coming up at Christmas for a week of full chaos when you could have spent a quiet Christmas at home!

Thank you lady at McAllister's Deli in Raleigh, for continuing to talk to Joseph even after you realized he was non-verbal and unable to make eye contact.

Thank you my special friends who understand how impossible it is for me to make a phone call but allow me to text you a hundred times a day.  You know who you are and I love you for listening to me, praying for us and doing life together.

Thank you to my private chat group for allowing me to babble often, for giving me advice and traveling this journey with me!  You make me laugh daily!

Thank you Mrs. Kelly, Joseph's Visually Impaired Specialist, for teaching me so much about Joseph's visual needs and telling me so often how much potential he has!

Thank you to Ms. Shelly for jumping from school to school just to fit in the occupational needs of so many children, Joseph included.

Thank you Mrs. Jan, Joseph's Orientation and Mobility Specialist, for reminding me I cannot coddle this adorable boy.  He needs to take wings and fly.

There are so many other people who have impacted our family over the past 7 months.  We have been overwhelmed by the support and thoughtfulness of so many people, strangers included.

Surely there will be a sequel to this post...


*these are in no particular order of preference, timeline, etc.