Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

Some children can be smooth, full of ease, while others can be rough, with little peace. Some can give gifts others withhold, rising and setting like the sun on any day. Others teach you nothing but silence and prayers plus rest for the night. You give us all this and more, with our hearts understanding why uncertainties matter. Everyday, when we see you, we see God, and the gifts he keeps giving us, in nature, on trees, even in the fields of grass around us. Certainly, he is with us, we know this when you speak, when you force us to reset, each of us with our own issues, but you force us to bring it back to him, by any meltdown necessary. How imperfect is each day with you. They are full of hurdles, yet as the same time, full of joy, if only we remember the source, and in truth, the only gift there is, is the one we receive with open arms, sharing it as we go, this joy you bring. Happy Birthday, our gift from God. We wish you many more. Amen. 

I have always shared that you have no idea of my world unless you walk a mile in my shoes as a mother of a child on the spectrum. I have seen it all that nothing fazes. Not even work or chaos or stress can come close to what we experience often as a parent of a child on the spectrum. With you our gift from God, we learn to not be overwhelmed by the morning, when winds ease itself through the day and forces light to deepen within us as we wait the night and all its uncertainties. You teach us rest and resilience, plus solar systems, and why people are people and the need to keep a circle, a small one that will always have your back and keep you safe. You teach us love and kindness that we celebrate you always. The world will be the world and they will never understand your ways, but like I say to you always, your name is all you need and we named you so you never forget that you are what God brings always. Chiwetel, your name is all you need. Happy Birthday.