Happy New Year Jon!

I started out the New Year doing what I do most, hanging out with Jon.

He spent the afternoon in our bathroom, taking a bath, shaving and getting dressed.

About an hour before Mike and I were supposed to be leaving for the 9pm to midnight New Year Eve Celebration service at our church, Jon’s caregiver called out sick.

By then, Jon was clean and shiny and wanting to go out. What to do? Pastor Mike sorta’ had to be there and I really didn’t want to spend the evening home alone.

Jon had gone out the door and was in the car so I decided, with great hesitation, to try to take him to church.

Here’s how the evening went:

The first hour we were in Mike’s office while Jon snooped around and made goofy faces for my iPad camera.

imageOnce we left there, he walked the entire hallway that perimeters the sanctuary until we were back where we started. He only slightly nodded his head at one person we met along the way, even though many acknowledged him.

He decided to walk the length of the hallway again and head up the balcony stairs. As I followed, I silently hoped he would sit down in the back row for a while. No way, he got a glimpse of all the people, heard the loud music and headed right back down the stairs.

We left the church building and went across the parking lot to the school and spent the rest of the evening in the gym. Jon shot hoops with an almost airless ball he found hanging around on the stage. But it was quiet in there and he had the whole place to himself, so he was happy.image

Very happy. Singing Christmas Carols out loud, while shooting the airless ball at the hoop, happy.

On the way out of the gym, he stopped at the hall vending machine to buy a bag of chips.

We returned home at 12:04 am, 2014, to colorful fireworks exploding over the far side of the lake behind our house.

I’ve decided Jon would be much happier going to church after it’s over.

Me…well…I missed the whole event last night but I got to hear my happy son sing. That doesn’t happen very often.

Guess it was worth it.

Happy New Year Jon!

4 thoughts on “Happy New Year Jon!

  1. Chris Law

    Diane,
    I was so excited for you and Jon that you got him to come . When I turned around and saw you behind us it warmed my heart . When I read your post I tears came to my eyes and a lump in my throat . Don’t ask me why ,maybe it is knowing what it is like ,that bond between am mother and her children .
    I could not even begin to imagine what one day is like in your life . I have to say I admire all that you do and the love you have for Jon and how you share that love for him with us . We have to get together one of these day so I can meet this Jon man of yours . You are a very strong woman of God and I am grateful to call you my friend . Love you My Friend

    1. diane.connis@gmail.com Post author

      Thank you so much Chris for you kind words and your interest in Jon and all the little gifts you send home for him. People like Jon are often forgotten. They are so out of the public eye because it’s hard for them to be in it. I write about him to remind others that there are people in the world that matter and bring their own brand of value to us.Seeing life and the world through Jon’s eyes teaches me a new lesson every day. There are days when it’s really hard, mostly because we’re not getting any younger and 24/7 parenting and caring wears us out and sometimes down, but God always has fresh grace and strength and is faithful to bring a few folks into my life that lift me up. People like you! You are a blessing to my heart and I love you back 🙂

  2. mabel.

    We,ll never knoes why things happen, but god has a plan for every act, sure jon was happy and to the end mom was too.

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