Combo Mumbo Jumbo

There are so many things that I take for granted that sometimes I just have to stop and appreciate the little things that come so easily for me but for others are yet another hurdle to overcome.

On our way to the gym tonight my teen aged son told me he needed a new lock for his swimming gear so we stopped by Target to buy one real quick.

Standing in the aisle facing the display of locks and seeing the look on his face I realize what I try to forget. He is dyslexic and it isn't going away. There is no remission and it isn't outgrown. It is there lingering under the surface and always will be. He makes a joke about all those numbers being a "dyslexic's hell" and laughs. What a good hearted kid. He can't change the fact he has learning disabilities any more so than he could change his height or color of his eyes. It is part of who he is and how he has dealt with it and learned from it make him the patient , gentle hearted guy that he is.

We drive to the gym and sit in the parking lot while he tries to remember that combination. Over and over again he repeats it to himself. He apologizes for taking so long but I don't mind. I just watch him and listen to the radio. I am proud of him for doing what it takes to memorize those numbers without self pity or anger. I realize how fortunate we are. There are mothers without sons and sons without mothers. I can't imagine life without him and I can't imagine him without this burden/blessing. The fact that somethings are so much tougher for him makes us both appreciate when things come easy.