• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
G-Free Foodie logo
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Beverages
    • Dairy Free
    • Desserts
    • Kid Zone
    • Main Dishes
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Quick & Easy
    • Recipes & Techniques by Cooks We Love
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Vegan
  • Articles
    • Dining Tips
    • G-Free Foodie Guides
    • G-Free Foodie Mommies
    • G-Free Foodie Product Reviews
    • Gluten Free Advice + Experts
    • KC's Blog
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Articles
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home / Articles / G-Free Foodie Mommies

    Little Light Bulbs

    Posted On Aug 21, 2016 · Updated On Aug 19, 2016

    Little Light Bulbs

    Light Bulbs

    G-Free Foodie Mommies

    Share

    Courtesy: Chrissy, Life with Greyson + Parker

    We turn Summer over to shake out the very last, most precious golden drops of it. The circle of life makes us dizzy at times. We are born and we die. We Summer and we 'Back to School'. We "it's so fricking hot," and, "I'm over the cold." And each season and milestone and moment shocks us; we can't believe it's already here. This ride goes so fast, sometimes it's hard to pay attention to the view.

    So we are left somewhere in the middle. The center of annoyance and obligation and purpose and carpe dieming. Hello World, so glad to meet you.

    We took a trip back to our old home of Hermosa Beach in Southern California. Because it is Summer and we could, so we needed to. My heart truly aches to say goodbye to Summer. Goodbye to our boys' therapy aids and our routine. Goodbye to Grey eating lunch at home with me every single day. Goodbye to pool baths and staying up too late. Last school year was just awful, like a bad Lifetime made for TV movie, and I just wasn't ready to even begin to think about sending him back again. I hoped the ocean's tide could infuse me with the strength I would need to make it through this year.

    There were only three things on our agenda:

    1. Visit with my friend Wendy

    2. Go to the beach and Pier

     photo _MG_3998_zpsmi20epfq.jpg

    3. Swim in the hotel pool.

     photo _MG_3660_zpsalrayift.jpg

    The boys would be ok if we never left the hotel. Between the hot tub and pool, the elevator, and a big machines that only makes ice- what more is there to want from the world?

     photo _MG_3681_zpssvcicyp6.jpg

    We are finally at a place where we can travel and stay a couple of nights in a hotel with the boys. For so long it was impossible. Not impossible- hard- literally not possible. And the few times we've done it, I'm pretty sure we've had hotel management called on us every time.

    This time was a dream. Perfection. Pinch me.

     photo _MG_3741_zpsihwuol6v.jpg

    Grey was most comfortable keeping his distance from the water. He loves the sand, but he's been scared of the water ever since last year when we took him to Surfer's Healing- and just kind of threw him on a surf board without giving him any warning.

     photo _MG_3882_zpswep3r9wv.jpg

    I wanted him to love the ocean again so SO bad. I wanted to yell at him, "LOVE THE WATER DAMNIT!!!!! RIGHT NOW!!! " My heart ached for us to love the same thing at the same time.

    Instead, I made him put his toes in every so often while he screamed at me, and I would then let him go back to solitude and sand.

     photo _MG_3765_zpsu32lwpth.jpg

     photo _MG_3891_zps6i1egb8o.jpg

     photo _MG_3753_zpswxoffsoh.jpg
    Parker, on the other hand, could live outside. Anywhere and everywhere outside all the time. And if water is involved? Yes please!

     photo _MG_3775_zpsh8d3cbq4.jpg

     photo _MG_3771_zpsxnl4ve1u.jpg
    And he and the Ocean are the very best of friends. He would squeal and roll in the waves and cover every centimeter of himself in sand.

     photo _MG_3795_zpsgfntlp9i.jpg

     photo _MG_3992_zpsvpzinxfd.jpg
    Grey enjoyed the Ocean from afar.

     photo _MG_4082_zpsll4yhbts.jpg

    And we all enjoyed walking around the pier until the sun set deep, deep, deep into the Ocean and it was night.

     photo _MG_4165_zpstws3eqve.jpg

    The pier walkway sparkled like diamonds with white twinkle lights overhead. Holy cow beautiful.

    By day two, my ache had gone away. So what he didn't like the Ocean? Maybe one day he will again. And he's so happy in the sand- I will just be happy that he's happy, I decided, and this time- I actually meant it. Not to mention- feeling sad that Grey didn't like the Ocean did not allow me to focus on how happy I was that Parker did.

     photo _MG_4252_zps8rbdoyw0.jpg

    And that truly makes me happy. I played my heart out with Parker. The water was warm and we were sandy and soaking wet, and most of all happy. And while Michael was taking a couple of pictures of Parker and me, I suddenly saw something out of the corner of my eye...

     photo _MG_4257_zpstj0f2ovp.jpg
    I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. I was dying laughing when I saw this picture and my expression.

     photo _MG_4282_zpsxj5tcgfl.jpg
    Here was my Grey, playing tag with the Ocean. All on his own. Squealing and flapping in delight.

     photo _MG_4263_zpshaxk0so2.jpg

     photo _MG_4385_zpsmxbzceit.jpg
    As time went on, he got braver and bolder.

     photo _MG_4373_zpss38kv1v2.jpg

     photo _MG_4347_zps516wqfuo.jpg

    And then he just got on in there. It was the best day ever. It still kind of feels like a dream. Little Lights bulbs, that's what I call these moments. Those tiny little moments when something small just finally clicks. When I learned it was autism, I wanted that one big fix, one big switch I could flip on- to cure them, or fix it or make it stop. But there is no such thing.

    Instead what we have is Little Light Bulbs. And although they are not the biggest or brightest of all lights, together, they will light our way.

    And on the way home I realized- together we will make it through this back to school transition and the upcoming school year. We can and we will make it through anything life has to offer us. Grey is invincible. And maybe, just maybe- so am I. And something tells me if these words have found you-

    than
    so
    are
    you.

    Love,
    Chrissy

    You May Also Like

    • The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
      The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
    • Gluten-Free Menus at In-N-Out Burger, Five Guys and Shake Shack
      Gluten-Free Menus at In-N-Out Burger, Five Guys and Shake…
    • keep swimming | Chrissy, Super-Powered Mom
      keep swimming | Chrissy, Super-Powered Mom
    • Back to School
      Back to School
    « Gluten-Free Portland (as if you even need this guide)
    MADE TO MATTER: HANDPICKED BY TARGET »

    Share

    Reader Interactions

    Let Us Know What You Think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sign up for our Newsletter & live deliciously G-Free

    K.C. the G-Free Foodie

    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

    Featured Recipes

    rose wine slush

    Raspberry Frosé: Rosé Wine Slush Recipe

    GrilledShrimpwithFreshCornZucchiniandTomatoSalsa

    Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Corn, Zucchini and Tomato Salsa

    tomato water

    Tomato Water | The Fresh Tomato Recipe You Didn't Know You Needed

    easy single serving sangria

    Easy Single-Serving Sangria

    SHOP GLUTEN FREE FAVES

    Popular Categories

    • Appetizers + Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Dining Tips
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick + Easy
    • Salads + Dressings
    • Soups
    • Tips + Tricks

    Footer

    People

    • About Us
    • K.C. Cornwell
    • G-Free Foodie Gluten Free Advocates + Experts

    Business

    • Partnerships
    • Contact
    • Gluten Free Consulting Services
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • Links & Cool Stuff

    Follow Me

    G-Free Foodie © 2022 · All Rights Reserved