Raising an Angel - a column by Mary Kay

AAC Awareness Month, advocates, challenges Mary is a blogger with a mission. She wants to make the world bigger for her nonverbal daughter, Jessie. She writes about their Angelman syndrome journey and how their life changed when they found her AAC voice.

How Angels Beat the Summer Heat

On the first day of July, there’s barely a breeze. It’s 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s not yet 10 a.m. By mid-afternoon, the temp is set to climb to a wicked-hot 97 degrees. I hear the song “Heat Wave” in my head, and I…

An Angel Mom Delivers

Kids get sick, it’s to be expected. However, we have had some memorable moments. Like the time we were walking around a Home Depot Expo after eating an Italian dinner (being specific so you can visualize). We were in the bathroom section when I noticed Jess…

A Traveling Angel Earns Her Wings

If I had to choose a traveling partner or a moving buddy, it’s a toss-up between my husband and my daughter. He’s the driver and the one with the credit card, but she is the one who paves the way.

Following the River

This morning, I woke to rain followed by gentle rolling thunder. The sound reminded me of our trip to Haiku a few years ago. As I was drifting back to sleep with Maui on my mind, the husband came barging into the bedroom and…

Diets Aren’t Only for Managing Weight

In my book, diet is a four-letter word. Just like the Harry Potter character, “He Who Must Not Be Named,” this word should not be spoken. My reason is that it implies control and sacrifice, neither of which I have, or want to do. Also,…

The Angelhood Has a Deep-Root System of Community

Today, we planted sweet corn. The instructions on the seed packet advised planting in rows 12 inches apart and about 3 feet between the rows. We’ll stagger the planting and make more rows next week. Corn does best when planted at a minimum of three to…

It’s the Journey, Not the Destination

I’m afraid I’m going down the same path as Norther Winslow. After he found fame with his first writings, he found himself stuck on a poem for 12 years, with only three short lines to show for it. For the past week, I’ve…