Picking Daisies…

I often watch Grace and wonder what she is thinking or feeling. Grace goes about her days happy mostly, observing everything. Grace is a child that does not miss a thing. I did not expect Grace to socialize the way she can without having a full on conversation. At the start I did not know about total communication e.g Makaton, sing language and all the other various visual aids that exist.

Speech is slowly getting there. We can hear more sounds every day her soft little voice chirping away. Crazy to think that we were told she wouldn’t be able to communicate. We have learnt to read grace well and grace can say “yes” and “no” quite clearly now, sometimes yes does not always mean yes but she is usually spot on especially if its “more cake grace?”. I found the Makaton signing helped bring some speech along but we do not use it most of the time as I like to make grace use her words to communicate. My mum is good to practice this with as she wont pick Grace up unless she says “up” if she wants a cuddle and Grace can say nanny when she feels like it.

These children have a special bond with the people they meet. we were shopping at the weekend and grace was waving like crazy and shouting “hiya” at a lady we didn’t recognise. The lady said to Grace ” ah you remember me” it turns out the lady had worked one day at Grace’s school a few years ago. Grace had remembered her and the lady kissed Grace on the head and reminded us how precious she really is. These children have great socialization skills and really do melt hearts.

Grace loves everybody she meets and always has time for people. It amazes me how excited grace gets when we have visitors new and old! Grace leaves an imprint on many hearts. Grace has a big family and she is adored by all of us.

Grace recently lost her nan my mother in law. Grace was the first little girl on that side of the family for many years and it was lovely to see that delightful bond with a very special nanny. Grace and Marion would spend their days sat on the sofa and Marion would feed her as much cake and sandwiches as she liked Grace’s favourite foods!. Grace loved nothing more than sitting in the fresh air with her nanny picking daisies.Grace can never tell someone she loves them but in her own little way she shows love more unconditionally than words could ever express.

Nobody knows what life holds so make the most of it, cherish each moment and always make memories however small they may seem.