One silver lining of having a special needs kid, that I have talked about before, is that you get to meet some very cool people. People that will restore your faith in humanity. Sam was Layna’s developmental specialist. Basically, that meant that she helped us navigate the Early Intervention program that the state offers and she did super helpful stuff like scheduling appointments and getting us evaluations. And we got to hang out with her a few times a month for most of Layna’s life. We are very sad that she is moving soon (soon, like I have orders to have this baby ASAP so Sam can meet her) but happy for her new adventure in a much cooler city than Vegas.
When Sam came over for our first visit, I didn’t know what to expect but it wasn’t her. I guess I was figuring someone older, portly (in a comforting sort of a way) with orthopedic shoes maybe. Nope. Spiky high heels, tattoos that my kids still enjoy looking at, and maybe a piercing or two. At visits we talked about Layna and books and her kick boxing class and I remember thinking it was so cool that not only did she work with kids but that she was awesome with kids and she still maintained a very definite sense of self that did not conform to a stereotypical case worker. I am sure she may not have been every parent’s cup of tea, but she was mine and Miss Sam will be very much missed at our house.
Sam’s little girl turned one a few days ago and we went to her birthday party today. Hooray for another excuse to make a cute stuffed owl! Pretty much the owl was for Sam, but I figure that baby girl will be well trained on the finer points of owls and will come to love them as much as her mother. Besides she is the first grand baby on all sides and the only one coming for a while so she has everything a baby could ever want. Well…now she has everything.
Comfy Posy 