Tuesdays With Ben

Some of you might recognize the slight reference the title of this blog entry makes to an outstanding book by Mitch Albom. Tuesdays With Morrie was/still is an outstanding read and I highly recommend the book if you haven't read it yet!

While Mr. Albom "chose" to spend time with his friend on Tuesdays I've kind of been "forced" into spending my recent Tuesdays with Ben. The company that provides nursing care for Ben hasn't been able to fill that day since Jenny took another case so Dad became Ben's personal nurse for a day.

Don't get me wrong. It's a job I love particularly now that I have a few weeks off from traveling to shows. We've had time to play and watch cartoons together the past two weeks rather than have Dad screamed at by Ben wanting to work on Dad's paintings. One other good thing about No Nurse Tuesdays is the trip around the block to meet Jessie after school. The other parents and children always treat Ben as he wants to be treated: like a regular little boy.

It's a great time for us both since we talk about birds, squirrels, and flowers along the way. Most of the time I just listen because I honestly don't understand him since he speaks "Ben Talk." That always happens when he's happy. To me it is the greatest sound in the world!

Ben loves the outdoors and I think that's why we love camping so much. We never thought about air quality warnings until he came along and there are so many days we can't let him outside unless we want a trip to the doctor's office. In fact so much of his life has been spent indoors that Ben can sit in front of a window and be entertained more than if he were in front of a TV. That in itself has taught us a valuable lesson in appreciating the color of the sky, the hummingbirds at the feeder, cars passing by, or just the changes in leaf colors as the seasons pass. These are things we've learned to treasure as a family living with our special loved one.

I know that soon Tuesdays will belong to another nurse and I will miss my solo time with Ben while I'm gearing up for another art festival. Until then I will spend my Tuesdays hanging out with my best friend and seeing the world through a different set of eyes. Eyes that probably view God's creation in a better light than I could possibly see.