Thursday, March 9, 2017

On the night before your Bar Mitzvah

Tomorrow David becomes a Bar Mitzvah, a man in the eyes of the Jewish faith, and tonight I am reflecting on all that this means.  As I think back on David's years up until now I am blown away at all that he has accomplished and the young man he has become.

There was a time that you were very delayed in walking, and then, on the day that your first PT came to the house, you took your first steps.

Then, after months of speech therapy, and still no words, the early intervention team convinced me that you needed to go to a special education preschool program at the young age of 2.  As I went all over town looking for a program that I felt was safe for you, we took a tour of Whispering Pines preschool.  On that tour we met Nancy, an AVB therapist, after an hour with Nancy you said the word "train."

Fast forward to more recently.....you have made me so proud as a child who received a Make A Wish trip.  However, once again for you, it was not quite enough for you to go on a Make a Wish trip, you came back and became an ambassador for their Holiday wish program.

David, you are a determined young man who has a huge heart!  You give your all to everything you do.

Just tonight we were writing your first few thank you notes, and I once again was reminded how very hard you work to do what is so simple for most of us.  To simply write your name takes complete effort and total concentration, but you do it all with a smile.

Tomorrow night we are going to ask that you conquer something that is so hard for you.  Sometimes even just talking to one person at an audible volume is visibly painful for you.  Tomorrow I am going to ask that you say prayers in front of an audience.

Sometimes even me asking you about your day causes you to be uncomfortable when you feel the spotlight is on you.  Tomorrow we are going to ask you to soak up the spotlight and enjoy it!

Sometimes being in a group of people causes you to want to run screaming, and tomorrow the group will be large and they will all be there for you!

Tomorrow David, the day is all about you- all about the amazing young man you have become!

To think back on moments of the last 13 years it is so easy to see some intense struggles, some awesome highlights and so much pride!  Tomorrow I believe will be one of the best moments of my life as I am joined by a group of people who love you and we celebrate who you are.  You are kind, sweet, gentle, and a one of a kind rock star!!!

I love you David Michael Bloom!  Soak up tomorrow as your big day!