We are finally coming to the end of the school year. One that was filled with so many challenges. Wynston has been in school since August and Wyatt has been E-learning since March 2020. We are in the home stretch which brings up so many emotions. The past few weeks were state testing at school. The expectation for Wyatt those 2 weeks was to go into school each day and complete testing and then return home to complete a full day of e-learning. I think the bar was set pretty high especially for him because he gets so tired, especially waking up early to get to school. Think about this, he hasn’t had to wake up at a certain time unless he had a scheduled doctor’s appointment for OVER A YEAR! Every afternoon I would tell him he could take his time completing the e-learning work as long as he finished everything by May 23 it would be fine. He would have none of that...most days his anxiety would get the best of him because he did not want to be “behind and have the red bar” on his courses. Everyday he would say “is it over yet? I am so ready to be done with school.” I would empathize with him because I am ready for it to be over too. You see, many days E learning was not fun or easy for Wyatt or myself. It has gotten harder with increased responsibilities at work and the increased length of school lessons. Yes, it all gets done by the end of the day but many days came with tears and yelling but in truth the most memorable days came with laughing and joking with one another. Over the year I was able to watch Wyatt learn and be there when he struggled with the school work. I learned his weaknesses and his strengths and realized how hard school really is for him. Though I am ready for the school year to be over I surely am not ready to stop watching Wyatt grow up.
That question: Is it over yet? has been asked more and more frequently as the end of the school year comes closer. Recently I asked myself, am I really ready for it to be over? In my heart I believe the truth is No. I told Patrick about it and I realized how much I am going to miss this time with Wyatt next year and how I will always cherish the memories of 8th grade science, math, ela and social studies. Our relationship has grown so much over the past year, one that I will never take for granted because I never want that closeness to be over. He has changed not only physically but mentally. He has learned to ask for help more instead of letting the frustration get to him. He has accepted the changes of DMD and living with a pandemic the best a 14 year old can.
As we prepare for the final days of the school year it’s fun to watch Wynston getting antsy to be out fishing, swimming and riding bikes all day with his friends. He too has grown so much over the past year. He has adjusted to the changes in school life with masks and having to be around the same kids all day because they could not change classes. He made honor roll every quarter and was invited to be in the honor Beta club. I could not be more proud of the challenges this boy has overcome.
But one of the most memorable nights of this school year my heart grew a little bigger. It was the night before Wyatt returned to school for testing. I asked him if he planned to take his new wheelchair or scooter to school and he responded…”neither mom, I can walk. I don’t want to take it with me. I can do it.” We talked about it at dinner again and he responded the same but this time Wynston spoke up and said, “if you need anything while you are there I will be there in a minute to help you.” He then looked at me and said, “Mom he will be fine. I got him.” The love of these 2 boys that night was palpable. I’m definitely not saying that it lasted long because I’m pretty sure about 10 minutes later they were back fighting again, but at that minute you could see how much the love Wynston has for his brother and acceptance of Wyatt’s physical challenges has grown.
As this school year is almost over my heart does hurt a little. It means another year has passed. Wyatt is another year older and another year DMD has taken its toll on not only Wyatt’s little body but also our entire family’s life. I worry about what the next school year will bring, as Wyatt will be in High School and Wynston will again not be at the same school as his brother. Instead of worrying about next school year I will plan to celebrate this school year’s completion and the boys moving to 9th and 7th grade. We will make the best of the summer and enjoy every moment of the time we have together because tomorrow isn’t promised y’all. It’s time to stop saying Is it over yet and instead start living in the moment and making the most of everyday...because the days are long but the years are short so make the most of them.
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