Pulling up to the farm, my heart was glowing. It was Joe’s birthday party and of course, Aviva, his little sister, would be celebrated too because that’s just how things work when you’re turning eight years old and have a six-year-old sister. Aviva was in a blue dress with daisies and Joe was in a blue shirt with cargo shorts. It had been a long three-hour car ride with my caregiver, Olivia. She has been with me for three years and has taken this trip with me once before. The kids ran to the car. Driving my wheelchair out of the car, Aviva ran up to me.
“Hi, Aunt Hannah,” she said shyly.
“Is the unicorn bag for me?” Aviva asked.
“The Minecraft bag is mine!” Joe said.
“Let’s let Aunt Hannah go inside first,” my cousin, Emily said. She reached out to hug me.
This day is always so special to me. Personally, it marks the beginning of Fall. It’s still hot when I roll around with the kids in the spacious yard but there’s a nip in the air when I get in the car to drive home. Emily and Jacob, her husband, maintain a farm in southern Illinois. The kids climb trees and run in the corn fields. They have a beautiful life.
Four days later, I talked to the preschoolers at my church about having a disability and the importance of kindness. They were all so cute! After my short talk to them, they mostly volunteered information about their Halloween costumes, but some had good questions such as, “Do you sleep in your chair,” or “Who helps you drive your car?” I got to connect with a little kid who used a communication device which was so amazing. He also told me what he is going to be for Halloween. It’s a month away and it’s already quite exciting. Oh, to be a kid again!
Thank goodness life is back to normal. I’m beyond grateful to focus on contributing to my community and being fully present with my family and friends again. If you know of a school that could use a presentation on bullying, please reach out.
Happy Fall,
Hannah!
