So thankful for the gift of that dream last night: I was holding toddler Henry on my lap, he was wearing overalls, I kissed the side of his nubby head and told him I loved him.  He replied "I love you too".  (His current voice said it.  Toddler Henry could not have said those words.)

Today we pay the deposit on his class trip to Disneyworld.  When I first broached the subject with him several weeks ago he kept saying that he didn't want to go: "I've already been there."  I think he was a little frightened of the idea.  But he has been working it out in his mind.  Over the past week when I have asked him his response has changed to "will there be a dvd player in the hotel"?  I have assured him that he can BRING a dvd player as one of his allowed electronics.

I think about the reality of preparing for this trip, and it's daunting.  There won't be an adult staying in the room with him, so Henry will need to get himself ready in the morning, get himself clean, keep his things organized, pack up when it's time to leave...  I know he can do it but we will need to do some training over the next few months.

I think about things like "What if there's not a food he likes at the concession stand?"  But then I remember that he's 13 years old and even a developmentally delayed 13-year-old can find something to eat when he's hungry.

I still do too much for him.  I still overcompensate when things are hard for him.   

Last night out of the blue he informed me that he signed up for the basketball team.  When I asked "how did you decide to do that?" he said "I just walked down to the gym and signed up!"

I feel so fortunate that we found this school.  He has opportunities here he would never have had elsewhere, and the confidence/comfort level to try new things.

This morning as I waited for him to climb out of the car at the bus stop, a leaf drifted down and bapped right into his face.  He giggled and I giggled and then a breeze blew a dozen more leaves at his face.  We laughed some more and he took my hand.   

Somehow I think that dream is reminding me that it's always been ok.