I know that our efforts in OT and PT have really just begun, but I swear I already see little buds that will one day burst into blossoms. Slowly, steadily, surely. I see her ever-so-smoothly writing letters on the chalkboard wall with a nice grip. She is sounding out the silly non-words she lays out with her set of wooden Montessori letters. Several times the other day she briefly coasted, lifting up both feet, on her balance bike in a proud first! Snail chases, slithering laps that exhaust me but thrill Stella, have replaced last week’s bear hikes, and so joyfully and so perfectly in terms of fun and therapeutic benefit! So yes, I see positive signs peaking up.

Stella’s daffodil bloomed out front alongside the walkway. So while departing for dance class, I pointed out to her that the flower she planted had finally opened up. Later upon arriving home she stopped, bent over, gently cradled the blossom in her hand–the way you would a toddler’s chin–and quietly said, “Good job, daffodil.” She revealed her sweet nature and my over-reliance on “Good job!” despite knowing better. Regardless, the encouragement is called for. Blooming takes courage, hard work, and plenty of hopeful patience.