His name is Conrad Birdie
Conrad Birdie ~ now what vintage movie is that name from?
I live in Las Vegas but I’ve always wanted a Bird of Paradise (BOP) because every time we travel to California I love to see them all over. So, on Mother’s Day, when we were in CA to visit our daughter and son-in-law, I got my BOP. As you can see in the picture, Conrad Birdie is a pretty big BOP.
At the nursery, the clerk made two statements and asked if it gave me a clue; BOP’s are tropical plants and you life in a desert does that give me a clue? “Not really,” I replied. BOP’s do not like a real hot sun and Vegas gets up to 115 to 120 in the summer. Does that give you a clue? “Somewhat but I still want the BOP.” My smile was big.
It’s been a month now and my BOP, Conrad Birdie, is alive and well and thriving in Vegas. It has two new leaves that have opened and one on the way. I mist Conrad three to four times a day and one day it shall bloom.
Conrad Birdie will look like this one day.
You see, my Conrad Birdie is a bit like a child with AUTISM. It’s often planted where it technically should not bloom, but given the right conditions, care, loving, and faith, my Conrad and your child will thrive.
Now, what movie is Conrad Birdie from – be the first to answer correctly in the comment section and you’ll win a free story from the Story Shelf.
CONGRATULATIONS to BEN from Ames, Iowa. He got it right ~ it was Bye Bye Birdie and Conrad was going off to the Army. The movie stared Ann Margaret and Bobby Rydel. Ben was in his high school production. Again, congratulations, Ben!
“Your child is on the autism spectrum.” Of course no parent wants to hear that from a professional or from anyone. Many parents don’t even know what the word is or its ramifications on their child’s life as well as on their own and other family members.
So many years ago when I was dealing with that very statement about our son, Doug, I wish that someone would have told me to say this:
“Our son is autistic and THAT’S OKAY.”
Autism in itself is NOT okay but your child is who he/she is. When I began saying that statement outloud ~ I heard it ~ I felt it ~ I understood it ~ and I could progress from that moment on to deal with it and to accept it.
Autism is not a syndrome to be brushed aside to think or wish it away. As all parents with a child with autism know, it is a journey. In order to take that journey each parent must arm himself with every resource available. That takes strength from both your heart and your head. You pursue every path. You walk in faith that will lead you in the right directions and to the right people. You believe in good and you accept your child’s strengths with wonder and understanding.
So go ahead ~ try it ~ say it out loud ~ because that is where you must start ~ it will make the journey so much easier for your whole family.
MY CHILD IS AUTISTIC AND THAT’S OKAY
Chris and Kathie
I attended a Rotary Club meeting with Rotarian, Chris Steely, who introduced me and presented the Kindness Challenge of socks for the homeless in Las Vegas.
Many of the men’s, women’s, and children’s socks have been gifted to families who come to the Central Christian Church’s pantry and they are soooo appreciated. The Rotarian’s are a wonderful organization and give generously to the community.
