How I believe God is looking out for Lucy

I am a big believer in looking for the miracles. Especially in the tricky times. Because Dave and my mantra is true, to be sure: “we find what we’re looking for.” If we are always focusing on the rough things that inevitably surround us, they will loom like ominous mountains in our path. But if we can keep our eye on the good things? Well, those will carry us through. There is lots to worry about as we shift to such a new stage of life with Lucy graduating. And sometimes, of course, we wallow in it. Because we are human after all. There is no doubt that losing your vision and trying to navigate a brave new world without it is daunting. Our latest feat is trying to figure out a computer for Lucy post-graduation. Yikes this has been a tricky and emotional ride. But MAN! There is so much light and goodness going on too! And Lucy and I are always on the lookout to see the miracles and silver linings that come amidst the dark parts.

An Ode to Lucy

The other night Lucy announced she was going to bed. And then we looked at each other with wide eyes realizing that this was the first time in as long as either of us could remember that she was going to bed before me and Dave.

How did that happen? My girl who NEEDED her sleep so she wouldn’t literally fall apart the next day has morphed into this girl who still sits like this even after Dave and I are bleary-eyed and need our sleep.

And she keeps herself together the next day! (At least for the most part.) This girl doesn’t give up.

And as this school year rolls to an end.. as this high school stint grows to an end for that matter, I want to stop and say that it has been amazing to witness how this daughter has made it so beautifully through high school. Oh there have been some not-so-glamorous parts for sure. So much learning and growing and failing and picking herself back up again.

But she has such natural grit and determination to work so hard and get things done. She was horrified when I mentioned one time that maybe we should work less homework requirements into her IEP. WHY in heaven’s name would we do that, she demanded?? Well, I’ll tell you why since she wouldn’t think of having me tell her:

Because it takes her eyes literally hundreds of times longer to find her curser on her computer screen than other kids. To scan between that and her magnifier. She has to make sure she’s wearing earbuds in class so her computer can talk to her and tell her what’s going on. I honestly don’t know how she navigates between tabs and lists all jumbled in huge white/black contrast on her screen.

But she doesn’t take no for an answer. She finds ways to do things. And sometimes that takes a village. (I love her texts with Carson up there trying to help her.) If Lucy doesn’t know how to do something, or if she needs a ride, or if she needs a friend, she knows how to reach out.

And I believe God is in the details of that village that is there for her, no matter what.

Help on a School Project

I get teary-eyed even remembering this moment when we went over to pick up a poetry assignment our friend had helped her with it. She was supposed to cut out little letters from magazines to whip up her “found” poem she had written. Of course, she can’t see those letters and her dexterity doesn’t allow much scissor-using skills. I was out of town, so no problem, she would ask Tonia for help.

God is in those details.

Missing her last school dance

Lucy was under a little black cloud for a little while mourning that she wouldn’t be going to prom. I’m so glad she’s had some girls-choice dances in high school, but this last one was boys choice and she doesn’t really know many boys.

She was sad about it for a little bit, but then she pulled up her boot straps and asked my sister-in-law Annie if she was available that night (I guess she wanted a step-up from the date with her mom last time she wasn’t asked to a dance).

Annie showed up with a beautiful corsage she had made for her, took her to dinner, they played cards together until late into the night. She came home so happy.

Yes, God is in those details too.

Airpods Tracked Down

She left her AirPods at school when I picked her up early one day. She was dying because she uses those things like nobody’s business. Always listening either to homework or books. We called the school that was five minutes to closing, and nothing had been turned into the lost and found. Still we hopped in the car and decided to give it a try to find them. As luck would have it, the main hall was still open and a kind woman doing some clean-up happened to be right there. She had a key to Lucy’s last classroom and those AirPods were waiting her right where she left them on her desk.

More God showing up for my girl.

A College Dorm Room

We were pretty stressed out trying to situate Lucy’s dorm room for next year. As much as she is so social and wants the best of friends, she also needs her own space. Emotionally, a shared dorm room wasn’t going to work for her. She often needs to situate herself and find her own calm, especially amidst the surely stressful newness of a new school year. The housing office was not very hopeful that she would be able to secure a private room since those are a little tricky to come by.

I came home early from a meeting, heart beating wildly, and secured that elusive private room through her USU portal during her assigned 15-minute window. Hallelujah!

Once again, I do believe that God is in these details. And perhaps also the details when she fails and things don’t go as well. Because she (and I) are learning from them both.

I trust, as we get ready for this new adventure, that God will carry her along. I pray for angels to be on her sides, showing up in the form of friends and teachers who “get” her. And I pray that she can be an angel for others too as she is an angel for her mama in so many ways.