Friday, March 24, 2017

Five Minute Friday: EMBRACE



Today I'm linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday
Today's word is EMBRACE.

(I'm also linking this post to Jolene Philo's
Different Dream Parenting link share - March 28/17)

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Jonathan has been really enjoying his first year of high school. He gets along great with his Educational Assistant, Matt, and they do many fun outings together each week like stocking food at the Food Bank and going to the YMCA to do fitness or swim in the pool.

Today, as he does every second Friday, Jonathan goes on a particularly special outing with Matt. They get on the city bus, ride to another high school, and spend the afternoon with Jonathan's friend Nick and his EA. Jonathan has known Nick for several years; they go to the same special-needs day camp and are the best of friends. 

Nick does not communicate verbally at all, and Jonathan speaks in quite simple, concrete sentences. 

Jonathan (L) and Nick (R) at  summer camp

 But their friendship does not depend on words. They beam with delight when they see one another. They laugh and act silly. 


And they embrace each other -- sometimes literally, in fact. They accept and enjoy each other just as they are. They have no inhibitions, no filters when they get together: they can just BE.

Their relationship is a good model for us all: to embrace the moment. Embrace the love. Embrace the joy.

26 comments:

  1. Embrace the moment, embrace the love. embrace the joy. Thank you for this reminder. I find I embrace stress sometimes more than love and joy. This is definitely something that I need to change. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

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    1. I know exactly what you mean by embracing the stress. So I'm really writing to myself as much as anyone else here. Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  2. Jeannie, I found you in the "parking lot" at Kate's. I'm #15! Fun interacting with you last night.

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    1. Yes, it was fun, Susan! "Parking lot" -- that's so funny. Makes me think of wandering around trying to find my car...I mean assuming that ever happened to me (ahem). Thanks for coming by today.

      Jeannie

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  3. Their relationship is indeed a model for all of us.

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    1. Thanks, Tara! I appreciate your stopping by to read and comment today.

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  4. What a sweet friendship, Jeannie! There is so much we can learn from those who have no words with which to speak.

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    1. I agree. And thanks so much for reading and commenting. Have a great weekend.

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  5. I'm moved by this peek into your sweet son's schedule and life with his buddy. Beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Linda. They are so funny! Nick gets very physical with Jonathan, trying to "help" him with his hat & coat etc., so the camp counselors sometimes have to step in to redirect. But Jonathan never minds or complains. It's always a happy reunion when they see each other again.

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  6. Awww, Jeannie. This is just plain sweet. I love seeing your son has a "kindred spirit" with whom he can share joy. That is a gift. I love the simplicity and earnestness in their relationship. I'm so glad you shared this. It's such a good reminder to embrace the moment, the love, and the joy with my family and friends.

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    1. Thank you, Jeanne. They are so funny together. Last year their summer camp made a video, and in it Jonathan and Nick are shown having this wonderful, happy moment together -- all because Nick took Jonathan's hat and put it on his own head. It's really nice.

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  7. Great photos ad a beautiful example of friendship! We all need those relationships where we can be embraced just as we are.

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    1. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Lesley. I appreciate it!

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  8. Jeannie, what a touching picture of acceptance and brotherly love! Their connection is amazing. Thank you for sharing that moment. (Hugs;)

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    1. Thanks, Christina! Aren't the pictures great? These guys are so funny and happy when they're together.

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  9. Jeannie, this is wonderful beyond words, and touching beyond tears. Thank you.

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    1. You're welcome, Andrew -- I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by to read.

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  10. I've loved hearing about Jonathan and Nick over the years, Jeannie. Their relationship is an example for me to embrace.

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    1. Thanks, Tim. Yes, they are quite the pair. When I asked Jonathan yesterday, "What did you and Nick do?" his response was, "Cookies." Sounds like a good thing to do with a friend! :-)

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  11. Aw! Jeannie, I was just beside myself when I read this and saw the pictures.I took this in to read to my daughter Camilla and she almost got tears in her eyes. She said, "That made my night."

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    1. That's so nice to hear, Betsy (and Camilla) - thank you! The pictures really make the post, don't they? It's one thing to read about these guys and another to see them in action. They're so funny!!

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  12. These are sweet photos...they brought an instant smile to my face. Thanks for sharing at #fmf (I'm #14 this week).

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    1. Thank you, Sarah - I really appreciate your reading and commenting. Nice to connect with you through FMF.

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  13. Jeannie
    These pictures are priceless and speak a thousand words. How deep love can be, without all the trappings that we seem to include with it. Theses two young guys have a thing or two to teach us all about embracing life.

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    1. I agree, Sue - aren't they delightful? And so funny together. Just loving life.

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