10/19/25

 

Dear family,

 

Being over the hill isn’t that bad at all.  I can still ride my bicycle over hills, and that is a big deal to me.  When I lose that ability, I will be sad.  For now, I feel blessed.  I am very glad for that mode of transportation.  It saves us $100 of gas a month, and who knows, in parking.  I also enjoy the commute.  I am thrilled to see the changing weather and the beautiful town we live in.

Middle school group had four new faces.  It was fun to greet a Corban student while trying to figure out her fit.  I thought I got it when I said, “You are not a middle schooler, you are a parent!”  Nope, someone figuring out if helping out would be a good fit.  Ohhhh, how fun.  We also had three wiggly boys.  They were super disruptive but so endearing as well.  Bobby’s estimation of the night: “That was fun.”

Bobby mentioned a story during the lesson about being wanted.  God chooses us.  Bobby remembered a time when he was playing football with a new group of people on Thanksgiving Day.  They chose teams like middle school, and he was picked last because he was older and smaller.  That brought back some feelings.  The next year, though, he was picked first (which was fun for him).  The man who picked him said, “I just picked you because I don’t want to ever be tackled by you again.”  This brought some comments.  “That is real,” which also meant, “I don’t want to ever get tackled by you either.”  Some of our students are smaller, but one thing they do know.  Bobby has force, energy, and strength, and that is just his personality!

One more interaction made me smile.  One person asked another, “Why don’t you like your face getting wet?”  The answer was said firmly stated as the obvious.  “Autism.”  And that makes moms of people with Autism smile.  Yes, that would do it.  Sensory issues are a thing.

High school group also has some fun times.  When Bobby asked us to write down three characteristics of our personality, he didn’t expect to hear this one from one of our older males, “I start listening to Christmas music in September.”  This was hard for Bobby to comprehend.

There was a point when Bobby couldn’t find his phone.  He looked around, and I asked if he wanted me to call him.  Rich mentioned it didn’t matter since it was on silent.  Lo and behold, it was right next to Rich.  The thief, who was chuckling. 

I enjoy shenanigans.  I love laughing.  May you also enjoy when people give you that interesting kind of attention, and may your joy be complete when your life is still OK, especially since it will not matter in five years. 

Much love, Cristy

And that picture?  Well I found a friend that wants plants so instead of having to put them free on the sidewalk she gladly took them.  Yay!