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.
Once 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.
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!