Roller Coaster Dentistry
“Jude lost a tooth!!!” Megan shouted.
My lap bar had me locked in place, but I turned my head, trying to catch a glimpse of Jude’s new smile.
The roller coaster was calm, but apparently not calm enough.
We hurried off the ride and spilled out into Toy Story Land laughing hysterically. Wheezing. Turning red. Miller, Megan and I could not calm down.
I found it more hilarious when I thought of where her tooth could have gone. I like to imagine that it landed in someone’s nachos. Someone standing directly below one of the turns at the perfect time.
“Honey, come look at this! What IS THAT?!!! Right there on that chip?!!!”
Somewhere, in Disney World’s data, is a logged complaint about finding a tooth in a snack.
Or did it go in someone’s purse? Imagine a tired mom cleaning out her bag from a trip, only to find a tooth at the bottom.
Gross. Hilarious.
The truth is, if you approach being a special needs parent in the right way, it can be very funny. It provides the best stories and hilarious moments. To all the sensitive and easily offended, let me be clear. We’re not laughing at Jude or her disability. But I simply cannot deny the 12 years of funny, memorable, and random moments we’ve experienced.
Here’s a sample:
She often too excited to get undressed for the bath. She ends up jumping in with her clothes on. That’s happened more than once.
She gets overstimulated by songs. One that never fails to have her laughing and running for her room is “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” by Beastie Boys.
She gets everyone - including strangers - to clap their hands for her.
She’s loud at the movies, stimming when she gets excited. This happens during the movie, but the previews are her favorite part.
She sleeps on road trips with the blanket all the way over her head.
She sometimes farts at very inappropriate times. Loudly. I love how she just treats it as a natural fact of life rather than a social taboo.
So while being a special needs dad can be stressful and heavy at times, it can also serve as the greatest joy. It can be hilarious. It certainly is memorable.
When I’m approaching being Jude’s dad in a healthy way, I’m thankful for the craziness.
The craziness creates the best stories.
And the best life.
God help me approach all the challenges and randomness with joy. Help me keep a sense of humor. Help me fix my thoughts on the right things so I’m not anxious about the interruptions or the craziness that accompany being a special needs parent.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8