A View of the Lake

Tracing the Footprints of God

Skip to content
  • Home
    • Blog
    • Other Writing
    • Books I’ve Read
    • Favorite Quotes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter Signup
Search

Life With Ben

Hedgerows and Big Yellow Trucks

December 12, 2022January 9, 2023 / Andrea / 18 Comments

A hard rain was falling that afternoon, and I was eager to get home. After a long day of doctor appointments in the city for my son Ben, I loaded up the car with groceries and headed up the twisting road to our home in the mountains. Only a few miles up, however, a large … Continue reading Hedgerows and Big Yellow Trucks

Ribbon Collecting

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 / Andrea / 4 Comments

My son Ben loves competing for Special Olympics, and has a giant collection of medals and ribbons from various meets and tournaments. He participates in eight different sports, and every competition finds him swaggering home with something shiny. The medals and ribbons hang proudly from his bulletin board, the overflow crumpled in his desk drawers. … Continue reading Ribbon Collecting

To Ben on World Down Syndrome Day

March 21, 2022March 29, 2022 / Andrea / 12 Comments

You came as a surprise; your life tenuous, your little body limp in my arms. We brought you home, numb and determined, the future unimagined. Your extended family welcomed you with a tenderness tempered by grief. Your church family, stunned, embraced you. You were changing us, even then. Making your mark on our world just … Continue reading To Ben on World Down Syndrome Day

Ben and the Carnival Fun House

October 5, 2021October 4, 2021 / Andrea / 3 Comments

My son Ben loves the county fair. We always start in the animal barns, where he clucks and moos his way down the aisles, the animals patiently letting him pat and talk to them. Then comes the midway, where he has uncanny luck at the games, always coming away with a prize. The rides, however, … Continue reading Ben and the Carnival Fun House

How Heaven Changes Us

August 31, 2021August 30, 2021 / Andrea / 10 Comments

I’ve often pondered what Ben will be like in heaven. I used to think that he would still have Down Syndrome, since it comes knit into his every chromosome. But the longer we deal with not just the delights but also the deficits and struggles that Down Syndrome brings, the more I am convinced that … Continue reading How Heaven Changes Us

Hug Status

June 22, 2021June 22, 2021 / Andrea / 1 Comment

My son Ben strides through our church like he owns it, seeking out his favorite people to hug. As we have finally emerged from our year-long quarantine, no one is happier than he to have human contact again. Some people with Down Syndrome dish out hugs like candy at a parade. But not Ben. No, … Continue reading Hug Status

Ready to Party

January 19, 2021January 13, 2023 / Andrea / 12 Comments

Ben has decided that he wants to die. This son of mine, who lives with a trust I aspire to....he believes in heaven, and can't wait to get there. Why do I find this disturbing? I've watched friends hold onto life with a white-knuckled grip, desperate for healing to come here on earth, grasping for … Continue reading Ready to Party

Listening for Ice Cream

October 27, 2020January 12, 2023 / Andrea / 8 Comments

My son Ben has significant intellectual disabilities. As a result, he has a very small vocabulary consisting of only nouns and verbs. If I say, "Do you want ice cream?" He'll respond with enthusiasm. And if I say, "Do you never want ice cream again?" I'll get the same response. He hears "ice cream", and … Continue reading Listening for Ice Cream

Flight

October 6, 2020January 12, 2023 / Andrea / 8 Comments

A Great Blue Heron has been perching at the end of our dock lately, so I decided to try to get close enough for a picture. He kept a wary eye on me as I crept closer, finally taking off with his long wings as Ben came clumping down to join me in his dad's big … Continue reading Flight

Conquering the Frog

September 29, 2020September 29, 2020 / Andrea / 10 Comments

We took a little getaway recently, just me, my husband and our 28 year old son who has intellectual disabilities. We had planned some fun activities, but from the moment Ben spotted the kiddie pool, it was all he could think about. “Wog” he said, making the sign for “frog” under his chin, “Me!” And … Continue reading Conquering the Frog

Posts navigation

← Older posts
  • NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Categories

  • Blogs
  • Favorite Quotes
  • Life With Ben
  • Newsletters
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • August 2018
  • August 2017
  • April 2017
  • Home
    • Blog
    • Other Writing
    • Books I’ve Read
    • Favorite Quotes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter Signup
  • March
  • See Me
  • The Safest Place
  • Just Listen
  • The Picture Frame

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • A View of the Lake
    • Join 172 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • A View of the Lake
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...