Just Believe

[Guest guest]

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Just

Believe!!!

A very good friend of mine recently sent me a video clip of her

beautiful and talented 14 year old daughter, Zoe Noell, singing a song she

wrote while accompanied by another very talented 14 year old award winning

classical pianist, Yallourakis.

When I listened to the song for the first time, so many things hit home with

me. This life, this adventure that I'm on has tested my faith so many times. I

have at times had to put everything into God's hands because it was too much

for me to bear and other times I believe that God has pushed me along wanting

me to see the difference I could make. I had to believe in Him and then in

myself to make it through and only then could I do the same for my children.

As I have often pondered on my boys and their differences I found myself always

asking God to guide me...at times I've asked that he make problems and issues

just go away...I wanted an easier road. But honestly, some of my strongest life

lessons, some of the things I hold most dear to me in my heart have been

learned as I have faced the challenges of raising children that are differently

abled, that learn in a different way. I

have taken on the challenge of helping them realize their full potential and

yet making sure they know how much I love and cherish them for the wonderful

individuals that they are. My life often feels like I am walking on a tight

rope, as is the feeling for most parents I imagine....mine just doesn't seem to

have a net and it's really high and I'm afraid of heights and someone forgot to

teach me how to do this. But then I stop...I think about how Ben, le and

Sam view life and I work to help lower their tight rope (ease their fears), to

build that safety net (helping them to make good choices and letting them know

that I will catch them if they fall) and to encourage them to take the next

step. I imagine Ben running, skipping and jumping across his tightrope making

me nervous, anxious and always watchful, sometimes I picture him hanging on by

just one finger and at other times showing me skill and ability I didn't think

was possible on a tightrope. I envision le gliding, dancing and spinning

across hers with a jump or two just to make sure I'm paying attention and I haven't

let my guard down. And then there is my dear, amazing Sammy taking five huge

steps forward with determination and unbelievable persistence and then a few steps back but

always trying to move forward and never taking a step without a huge smile or

yelling a huge " NO " . As a parent the greatest gift I can give to my

children is to " Just Believe " , those two words hold so much hope and

power. To believe in God, to believe in themselves and their abilities, to

believe in other people, to believe that anything is possible. This takes it

past dreaming, this is the action step.

As I listen to Zoe's song another time in my life comes to mind. The building

of Possibility Playground. Zoe writes " I believe that everyone came make a

difference. " I think of my co-general coordinator, each member of the

steering committee, our donors,

those who donated supplies and services, our community, our city, each and

every person that touched that project. WE BELIEVED!

When I asked Zoe's mom, how does a 14 year old write such a powerful song like

this, she replied:

" Zoe and I were curled up watching a special on TV about children from the US going to

Africa to build wells for clean water. After the show she picked up her pen and

started writing. She wanted to let people know that if one person does

something to make a difference, others will likely follow and benefit too, in

one way or another. "

My friend and her family also have a wonderful love and commitment of children

who are differently abled. In the video

you get to see some of these wonderful children and I think the message is

clear that " everyone can make a difference " .

And now the moment you have all been waiting for, I present to you an amazing

song by an equally amazing girl, Zoe Noell's, Just Believe:

Enjoy the song and in Zoe's words, " Keep your faith and hold your head up

high and JUST BELIEVE. "

Sue Mayer

Mom to Sam (9) with Down

syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia, Dysphagia, Respiratory/Immune Issues and

Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or as I like to say “Yada,

Yada,Yada”

www.suemayer-specialneedsmom.blogspot.com