Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley

As a parent of two kids with special needs, I weep every time I read it, and I read it every time I feel down and think I can't handle it anymore. Thank you for sharing!!!

i found this poem when my special needs son was born i bawled..bt today i can say i love Holland!

I probably have commented on this wonderful story, already, but it deserves another. :)

I wish you much peace and joy on your journey, Inferis.

I am the father of two special needs children, and I have to be honest... This made me weep. Thank you for putting it so succinctly.

Not my beautiful words...Emily Perl Kingsley.

I think her words are divine.



I do not have a special needs child, but have worked with many. I have witnessed much sadness, joy, and determination with the families I have worked with. I am just in awe.



I am so glad you enjoyed the read.

I just love the way you put this. So beautiful. :)

Always smile at a child.

It might be the best thing that happens to them all day.

Yes, there might not always be tulips. But there are snails, butterflies, worms, and little trickles of water running through dirt. All worthy of our time and attention. Life is good.

Enjoy the trip that life puts you on. At least there are tulips.

Oh my gosh! How weird that you commented on this old post, Crafty. I truly believe things happen for a reason. In just a couple of hours, I am talking to a group of teachers about incorporating special kids into our program! I think I will print out Kingsley's story and read it at the meeting. Thanks!



I'm so glad you had fun with your friend growing up. Kids are kids.

Loved the post Lilt. My parents' best friends had a daughter with special needs, so we grew up with her. We knew she was different to us, but I still have no idea what the diagnosis was. She was simply an important, accepted, fun part of our little group. She had to fed, she'd drink out of a baby cup with a spout, but it had to be held for her, she dribbled, so we'd take it in turns to tend to her. She laughed, with a rumble starting in her tummy that just rolled out in waves and crashes and tinkles, and it was the most infectious, wonderful sound! She "took part" in all our games, getting so excited and bopping in her wheelchair while she made her funny little squeaks and squeals, and waved her hands around. If we played ball, we'd throw it into her lap so she'd be part of our game. She'd concentrate so hard as her hands were held on either side of the ball and "thrown" back into the game. She had a permanent grin on her face that made her incredibly beautiful. She was an incredible listener, and we all told her our secrets. She'd laugh at the dumbest jokes and make us feel like giants. We loved her so much.

Kingsley's piece means so many things to everyone.

I'm glad you enjoy the tulips with Ben, Betty.

First, they are children.

I am so moved by all of your stories.

Pedrovoter, I do not have a child with special needs. I know that what the group is, I thought this would be a good place for this essay.



I have worked with many special kids and their families. They have inspired and changed my life in so many ways.

I just happened upon this post today too Lilt...and I'm so glad I did. I have worked with special needs kids and people have heaped unnecessary praise on me for this...every single day I spent teaching was a gift to me...I learned there is such a special way of viewing the world that if we're open to it we can see differently and our worlds can change. Thanks for this post!

HEY I ALSO BOOKED THAT FLIGHT , Mine flight was NOS POD> with sensory... Only I didnt know I was going on a trip untill the first year. it was a call to report at the last minunte.. I knew I was going to get the call to go but... still was in denial. But when it came it was devastaing. But I still got on.. and things became very very hard to see... It was rain.. or tears .. I cried alot... so I am not sure... But yeah then the captian came and told me that ... I too was not going to Italy.. and Holland .. but I could tell that I may be able to figure out the language.. and I got the language... and I got a lot of things. the down side is that none of my in law family can handle it in Holland.. and no matter what we say.. people who have never been there are scared and dont know if they can handle it . its like getting in a cold pool.. once you get used to it its okay.

Perfection is an unattainable goal.

It's one thing to expect it for yourself, but I'm surprised how many people demand it from others.



A little girl in one of my classes was extremely worried she wouldn't finish her drawing in time. Of course I told her it would be ok. But no, she said her Mom would be really mad if it wasn't done. :(

Thanks for posting this Lilt ......

Love this story!



Life is so precious and flies by so quickly



If only we could use all our energy on appreciation and enjoying the best of life whilst we can

Life takes you places, sometimes places you never thought you would be.

But there you are anyway. Now what?

Lindsey. I cannot take credit for this post.



This is only about the kids and families I have worked with.

Thats an amazing way to put this. :]



it made me think, great job, not many things make me think. ;)'



~Lindsey

I just had to revisit this Lilt.. thanks again for the reminder that Holland really is a beautiful place.



Love you lady!

Yep.

Kids..unique and special.

Even when you want to banish them to another country!!!

It ain't always pretty.

They challenge me often, all three, but they are very independent and creative and the air that I breathe.

Dancing trees are most definitely worth your time.

What a righteous dude for pointing them out, MSP.

My son is a special needs child as well and I cherish every moment, every step forward. He shows us things we might not normally see... like when the wind was blowing the other day "mommy look at those trees dancing". It's still Italy darlin' and you are still seeing all those wonderful things and places just via a different path is all.



xoxo

msp

I am glad you enjoyed the story, ladies.

Holland has tulips for heaven's sake !!

And all children are beautiful.

And sometimes that can be a blessing.

You bet, d.

As you well know, life doesn't always work out as we planned.