My Life Is…
My Life Is…
Almost three years ago I noticed something about my life. I noticed that when I looked at all I was dealing with in work, family, home, and with my kids… when I looked at it all or even a part of it, I found myself saying, “Wow, this is really hard!”
I started to note each time I called my life “hard,” and when I told someone that things were “hard,” and I even noted when I thought that word. Loading a wheelchair into the car was hard. Traveling was hard. Miscommunications with Leah were hard. Lifting Lucy was hard. Communicating with my husband Aaron was hard. Filming and writing music was hard. Meetings were hard. Getting home before the bus arrived was hard. I also noticed that each day I was hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock over and over in a futile attempt to postpone getting up and dealing with my “hard” life.
Wow, “hard” was a powerful word and it was running rampant in my thoughts. It was almost a default word, a word I felt stuck with. I decided to try a little experiment. It was simple really. I would give up using the word “hard” to describe everything and I would find a new word or phrase to replace it with.
Was my life hard? Is my life hard? There are plenty of people who tried to convince me that my life really was hard, because in their eyes they completely believed that what I had was much harder than what they had. I didn’t care. I just couldn’t stand living with that thought about my kids and my family any more. Is having Leah really hard? Is Lucy hard? I dropped the word “hard” out of my vocabulary.
Now, what could fill that space? What would best describe my life? And how exciting to stand in front of a blank sheet of paper titled “My Life Is…” and be able to choose the next word. It was a little daunting. What would I choose to call my life?
I didn’t take the task lightly. I looked from many angles. One thing I saw was that I was managing a lot of unexpected circumstances. My life hadn’t gone the way I expected and I found myself wondering if anyone’s life goes the way that they expect. That would be so boring! I mean really! What if your life turned out exactly how you thought it would? My life could never be called boring. It was quite the opposite. That was it! Three years ago I wrote the words I now use to define and describe my life.
My life is an unexpected adventure!
It was simple and true, and so much more empowering than what I called my life before. For the past three years now, I have been living my life from that perspective and I think that anyone one who knows me or even watches from a distance would agree. My life IS an unexpected adventure.
This year, instead of a New Year’s Resolution, I invite you to take a look at the words you use to describe your life. Listen to the thoughts that are telling your story. If you have a default word, that leaves you clinging to your mattress, I invite you to take some time and fill in the blank for yourself with words that you choose.
My life is…
I can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
~Rachel
January 21st, 2009 at 10:05 am
Welcome to an amazing life. You arrived there at an age younger than I was when I discovered it. I’ve got a secret for you…. even though life throws a few potholes & speedbumps in the way, overall it becomes even more amazing. Besides, without a few unexpected surprises, what would you have to compare all the really awesome things to?
Oh… and.. My life is… unlimited.
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January 21st, 2009 at 10:11 am
I love this…
My Life is Amazing
My Life is Full of Wonder
My Life is Crazy Busy… but in a good way
My Life is Clean… it better be with all the laundry I do
My Life is better because of my children
My Life is Full of love
My Life is Fun
Rachel I totally agree with you!!! My life is an unexpected adventure!
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January 21st, 2009 at 10:52 am
My Life is challenging and fun!
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January 21st, 2009 at 11:13 am
My life is getting better every day! Days are difficult, things can be difficult. But each day is new and each day I survive it gets better. Life is changing and there is hope everywhere. My life is awesome!
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January 21st, 2009 at 11:21 am
My life is empowering.
My life is also about learning how to roll with the punches, take the curve balls, make lemonade out of lemons.
My life is enriching and rewarding.
My life is about not sweating the small stuff.
My life is about finding the most amazing things in the most unexpected places.
My life is about appreciating every milestone and inchstone and never taking anything for granted.
My life is about learning how letting go of control and preconceived notions can sometimes lead you in the most amazing directions.
Before our twins were born, I think that the trivialities of life were what concerned us. Or, even if not trivialities, at least about making certain assumptions about the way things were going to be. Then, when Sharon had the girls at 23 weeks and we embarked on the NICU, and then post-NICU rollercoaster, we had to learn to let go of some things, and to fight tenaciously for others. We have learned to advocate for our surviving twin, to be the best mothers we possibly can be, to take up new challenges (even if not always cheerfully), to roll with the punches but never let them get us down, and to love each other even when things seem amazingly overwhelming.
And now that we are DAYS away from having a full term baby things will change up again for us (did I mention her name is Lea? Or perhaps Leah? Her middle name will be Paxton, because it means peace and Olivia–our twin whom we lost–also was named after a symbol for peace. Really, we just don’t have enough Peace in this world).
Anyway, I love this post. Oh, and before I forget, Hallie has now learned how to sign the alphabet pretty accurately. Not bad for a 2.5 year old with delays. But not as fast as you, Rachel. Your alphabet speed still amazes me every time.
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January 21st, 2009 at 11:43 am
My life is….full of oppurtunities. What a great post! I used that hard word for a while too but like you I find great happiness is using another term/phrase. Everyday I have oppurtunities to trust in God more, oppurtunities to be kinder to others, oppurtunities to accept exactly where Jack is right now, oppurtunities to open my eyes to all the progress Jack has made, oppurtunities to see what a great husband I am married to and what a great father he is, oppurtunities to realize what amazing friends I have. Thanks Rachael. I think I’m going to put up my own blog post sighting yours!
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January 21st, 2009 at 11:51 am
full.. my life is full of friends, of family, of neighbours, of activities, of so many things.
I have to say though your life is also inspirational. To take your gifts and to use them in such a way as to benefit not only your own family but countless others… truly inspirational.
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January 21st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
After attending a life-changing Joni and Friends Retreat for families facing special challenges two years ago, I had a similar redefining moment. For me, the terms that needed to be redefined were “burden” and “strength.” While God had given us a path full of burdens, I truly believed he would also give us the strength to muscle through it.
The theme of the camp was “Joyville,” and for one week we all had the chance to be a “normal” family at a summer camp. Ironically, the camp was in Indiana the week before a certain “star” was performing at a PBS event in Indianapolis. We couldn’t believe our luck and stayed over the weekend, so we could see Signing Time live. It wasn’t quite what we had imagined, as the lightening strikes, sheets of rain, and unseasonable cold could also have made this concert seem hard and a burden (possibly even life-threatening), but one look at our daughter’s face when she saw Rachel and Hopkins, and we realized that our new life truly is full of joy.
The best part of joy is that the more you share it, the more you get, the more you get, the more you want to share. It’s the “secret” of what makes life great. A simple lesson really, but one we never would have gotten without our youngest child blessing our lives.
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January 21st, 2009 at 12:47 pm
My life is an adventure.
to be as cool as you!
If my life had turned out the way I planned it when I was younger (teens) I would be bored silly now! How foolish I was to think I wouldn’t want things to go wrong so they could ultimately be so incredibly right.
If my life had gone as planned I wouldn’t be who I am today and I probably never would have met you, Rachel. That would be a tragedy because you are one of the many ordinary superheros in my life. Thanks for all you do so the rest of us can work “harder”
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January 21st, 2009 at 1:33 pm
My life is precious and the gifts and privileges I enjoy are many including a loving husband, three daughters and a son. We like to share anything fun or interesting each night at dinner when we sit down together and I’ll see what the other family members say when asked to complete the sentence, ‘My life is…’
I just finished reading Roadmap to Holland and it reminded me that there is no roadmap to the places you’ll travel in this life; there are many guides but no gps system to tell you what to do or where to go next. My life is richer with Signing Time! and the communication possibilities it has awakened us to with our daughter. Thank you Rachel for sharing so much of your life with ours.
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January 21st, 2009 at 2:03 pm
My life is extraodinary.
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January 21st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Love this post…
My life is a learning experience & fun!
A funny thing happened the other day, I was looking through a magazine for children’s stuff and saw the Signing Time DVD with your picture on it Rachel. For a moment, I was like, “Hey I know her!” When in fact I don’t “know” you like personally but I do read your blog which is always interesting so I feel like I know you and that was good enough for me! Just wanted to share!
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January 21st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
My life has become about two very different children.
My first child who excelled at everything and surprised me day after day with her determination and curiosity.
My second child who works very hard for everything that he does but I am also surprised day after day with his determination and curiosity.
My children are twenty years apart. One will be a LPN in a couple of months with big plans for her life. My little one is three with Down Syndrome and also has big plans, some of which he shares and others that I find after he has already set his sights on it.
God knew what he was doing in giving me these children and the times in my life when I received them. I am very thankful.
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I hear what you are saying, but I’m not sure I agree… what’s wrong with hard? Do things that come easy mean more or less to you than things that come hard? I always feel better after a hard workout than an easy one… as long as it isn’t TOO hard!
But I know what you mean– sometimes we get negative about things that we could look at as positives instead. We can choose to complain about loading a wheelchair in the car, or be grateful that we have a car, and a child to go in that wheelchair.
I think this is a process- yes, giving up this kind of negative thinking is hard! But I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. Having a baby is hard too, but that makes it all the more rewarding.
Thanks for reminding us all about this important lesson!
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I love this…for different reasons. I’ve been in a funk. And sort of been a hermit of sorts…for a couple weeks. Why? Because I was tired of “hard” too. I was tired of being tired and of listening to complaints…and in my hermitage I have realized that my life is–mine. And it’s precious. Maybe not to anyone who looks through my window…but it’s precious to me. My miracles are mine.
Thanks for writing this. I think every special needs parent..and every parent in general, feels like this from time to time—yet, you manage to eloquently put it into beautiful words.
MWAH!
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:30 pm
My life is a gift.
Love this post–it really made me think. I just went back to work full time and I found myself saying, “Man, this is hard!” just this week. So I’m going to ditch that word and replace it with positive words to get me through each challenge.
And if anyone needs a videophone– I’m your gal!
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:36 pm
My life is . . .full of gifts that I thought at one time were obsticles.
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Thank you for this post. I often use the word “hard” to describe situations in my life. I will look at things differently. To you, I say “my life is full of happiness and funny things.” We like to say in our house it is better to laugh than to cry.
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
My Life is…Full of Magic
My Life is…Full of Love
My Life is…Full of Laughter
My Life is…Full of Happiness
My Life is…Filled with chubby little hands that wrap around my neck so tight and give me the best bear hugs on the planet.
My Life is…Filled with giggling kids as we make a giant bed in the living room on the weekends and watch movies.
My Life is…Filled with the smell of little boys, and a beautiful little princess.
My Life is…Filled to the brim of joy and miracles.
My Life is…**FULL**
Thank you for this post. I needed it, and you’re right. My life is one big exciting adventure. Most of the time as of late I can just sit and laugh at whatever comes our way, but the last week or two I have been on the down side.
Thanks for helping to bring me back up and help me realize that I am not alone….and kicking my butt back into gear.
~As Rhett would say, “Moochies, and Uggies” (Smootchies and Huggies)
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:39 pm
my life is an unfinished masterpiece!
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:40 pm
My life is…a constant challenge
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:44 pm
My life is my children and my husband.
….and I couldn’t be happier or feel more complete.
(oh yeah…some days are the ‘h’ word but that’s ok, it’s all worth it)
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I’ve found a word that describes mine too! It is filled with JOYFUL CHAOS! (This comes from being a mom of 4 who homeschools!)
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January 21st, 2009 at 6:59 pm
My Life is BLESSED…God has given us challenges and gifts. With each comes opportunity and responsibility. The challenges are opportunities to grow into what HE desires of us. The gifts come with responsibility to use appropriately as God would like.
Thank you for your ministry and example to all of us.
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January 21st, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I love my life. It is also an unexpected adventure. I love the triumphant feeling of dealing with a situation rather than just crying.
Oh look kids, we are locked out of the car, what an unexpected adventure!
Oh, we need to go to the hospital again, what an unexpected adventure!
I thought of giving a seminar for our Family Cafe about how to survive a hospitalization. But then I decided that life was full of unexpected adventures that might make that a bit too much to take on.
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January 21st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
This was a very timely post for me (and many others, too, it seems!) Life has been throwing me curve after curve lately, and the “h” word has certainly been in my head and has come out of my mouth.
Though our family has a lot going on, our house is warm, filled with love, and we are blessed. There are SO many more good things than bad that I don’t think I could even replace “hard” with just one word.
Thanks for reminding me of this. It was a nice read at the end of a long day…one that was still filled with love and smiles.
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January 21st, 2009 at 7:47 pm
My life is FANTASTIC! CRAZY! CHAOTIC! BLESSED!
As a dentist and educator that has a 17 yr old with Rett’s syndrome, a learning disabled 15yr old who is blossoming in wonderful ways, a 4 yr old with amazing talents and perceptions for one so young, and a 3 yr old who finds no challenge too difficult (except picking up his mess), I find life a wonderful challenge to my intellect, strength, and endurance. What would life be if there were no challenges? Thank goodness for what a wonderful partner in marriage my husband is. We need 2 ringmasters for this circus!!
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January 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
My life is a wonderful love story, truly blessed.
Thank you for these words, very very true no matter our circumstances!
Heidi
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January 21st, 2009 at 8:14 pm
My life is delicious chaos! I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for what you wrote. We all have challenges – each may be defined differently, but life is good!!
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January 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
My life is Blessed! Our daughter was born at 26 weeks with bad lungs, an airway that was too small, CP and no speech.
Through her, we met amazing doctors who rebuilt her airway, amazing therapists that taught her to walk when some said she wouldn’t, amazing nurses who became our friends helping us to take care of her because she was on ventilator assisted equipment for 2 1/2 years, and you, Rachel, when you came to NY and gave a show at Carnegie Hall.
It was through your videos that our daughter learned to communicate with us and the rest of the world. It was so great to finally know all the thoughts and ideas she had in her beautiful head. I have spent the last couple of years becoming fluent in sign and teaching everyone else we know. Her school has completely embraced her signing and 18 classes of students or about 370 students all signed Jingle Bells this past Holiday and loved it!
Having our daughter has slowed me down and made me appreciate life more, changed my way of looking at life and helped me to not sweat the small stuff. I have met people who have told me that my life is or has been “hard” and I tell them that I wouldn’t have it any other way. My life is…Blessed.
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January 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
It took a while to realize that my life is both hard AND good, to let go and accept and that hard is good. Easy would be ridiculous. My life is AWESOME. Why? Is that because passively awesome things constantly happen to me? HARD-ly. Whatever awesome I have with my two boys, we have created it.
A while back we were in a hurry to get to school. We barely had time to finish breakfast and dart out the door to the car. One of my boys goes, “Dad we forgot to brush our teeth.” I said, “We don’t have time. Here, chew this.” As I handed him a piece of gum. He stands there, and says, “Chewing gum is brushing teeth?!? I can’t believe it!”
Dad, you have been fooling me all these years. Well, son, get used to it. Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill. Be well Rachel. I enjoy your perspective.
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January 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
When I read your blog I wonder, “Is there anything Rachel can’t do?” I only wish I had found your blog sooner! I feel so inspired each time I read–you are a fabulous writer on top of everything else that you do! My husband has MS and we have two small children and I say that my life is “too hard” way too much. The truth is I have more than I deserve. My life is blessed.
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January 21st, 2009 at 8:55 pm
I recently found out about about your blogs, love them!! Some make me cry, some make me laugh, but overall, they inspire me, thank you! My children love watching Signing Time, and are quickly learning, so am I!
As for my life… it is like a fairy-tale!
There are several waist-high people running around, one can be grumpy, the other sleepy, one is happy, and sometimes even sneezy!!
(It’s not a direct quote, but I think I read it on a magazine)
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January 21st, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Dear Rachel,
I was using the word “hard” way too often until I heard a line in one of your songs a couple years ago…I think it was “it’s not easy, but it’s good.” This line, pops into my mind every time things start to feel hard. It changed the way I saw the hard things. Funny, I happened to open this e-mail and read your post, your words had already been working to change the hard stuff in this family’s life!
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January 21st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
My life is a roller coaster and the ride couldn’t be more fun. Sometimes it is uphill and it is long and slow and you don’t think you’ll make it, but then comes the rush of going downhill, when your stomach leaves you and all you can do is scream and smile and then you have the curves and turns when you laugh with joy. The hill doesn’t seem so long now. I like my roller coaster.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 1:47 am
My life is an adventure. I can never predict what happens next. If I become comfortable, something in my life will change the situation to make me alter my perception of life. My family, friends and my job have made me a strong and flexible person to take on the challenges of the adventure. I have learned to look at my adventures as gifts. Thank you Rachael for your Blogs – if you can make it through your day so can I. Now if I can get my husband to sign I think that I could communicate with him better. Smile!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 4:35 am
Thank you so much for this blog. I think at one time or another every parent goes through a time of thinking that their life is too hard. I know that’s how I felt as a parent of 3 small children. Before 2004 I used to think that everyday. In December 2004 my daughter Emma passed away when she was 5 days old due to a heart condition. That was the day I stopped thinking my life was hard and began to think of everyday as a gift. Every task I had to complete for my children and my husband was time that I had with them. Lossing Emma made me realize how unpredictable and uncertain life can be. Then in 2006 I gave birth to my son Liam who at the age of 2 was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder. Every day with him is a challenge but it is also rewarding in ways I never would have expected. Now I face everyday with a renewed outlook. Instead of seeing my life as hard I see it as rewarding and as a new adventure each day. Sometimes things are still difficult but I think that because of my new positive attitude they aren’t so hard to get through. My life is a rewarding,adventurous gift!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 5:37 am
I get the emails from Signing Time and occasionally open them and read what is
“going on.” This particular time, I found it to be totally “intriguing.” It spoke to me and how I feel! I don’t really have a problem with the word “hard.” In fact, my cousin told me not use it – but the fact is – hard is what describes it. The dictionary has many definitions and for me my life is difficult to manage or control. Although, I love your angle. I think we are saying similar things or better yet, taking a better attitude. Life becomes easier – or more manageable when you go with the flow instead of against it. I expect difficulties and therefore I am able to better deal with them. Thank you for this insightful blog. I have decided to say:
My life IS!!! It is what it is. The verb to be is very powerful and I choose to be in the now and go with the flow…and enjoy the ride today (because I know waves are coming). My life IS!!!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
Other people have said that my life is hard since we have taken in our son and two grandsons, ages 3 1/2 and 18mos. But I don’t think I have ever thought it “hard”. But the thing I notice is that I am not as young as I used to be. I did 20yrs of childcare, but had not been in it for seven years when our ‘world’ was turned upside down. It has taken some getting used to to be back in the infant world. The oldest one has seizures and it has caused speech and development problems. Youngest one was born 6wks. early and weighed only 2 lbs. 14 oz. and with a club foot. Yes it has had it challenging moments. Mom left when he was 3 mos. old. He is ‘my’ baby. Through the Infant/toddler program we have started getting help for both of them. I was lent a dvd of Baby Signing Times and watched with amazment how it helped both of them. Got me hooked, and so now I am slowly getting our collection together. Thanks so much to Rachel and Emily for doing such a GREAT service to the world with the Signing Time programs. It has made me life more exicting and less’hard’.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 8:27 am
My Life Is…a treasure hunt. Everyday I discover treasures that I never expect! My grandchildren (a treasure of joy), my family (a treasure of love), my ancient parents(what a treasure of information), my husband (a treasure of support) , my friends (a treasure of therapy), my love of life (a treasure from God), my special needs students( a job treasure), and just being me(a treasure of acceptance). It’s a priviledge to be on this treasure hunt and I love every moment! Thanks for being a public icon for all of us with so many more treasures to discover.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 am
I love this post, too! And I’ve loved reading all of the comments.
My life is so much more perfect than I planned.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 am
My life is “good”…not always “easy” but “GOOD”! (that comes from your song…a very big eye opener a couple years ago when I first heard it). My life is full of blessings even if others think my blessings are so far from blessings. All that happens in my life, good or not so good, are blessings because they all work to make me a better person…a better wife…a better mother…a better friend…a better daughter…a better sister, etc. God knows exactly what He is doing when He sends those “blessings”. So much about life is our attitudes. If we see the “not so good” as a blessing…it is in fact then a BLESSING. We are allowed to visit “pity city” now and then as long as our stay there is short and sweet. And how much sweeter it is to come home from “pity city” to see the BLESSING that sent us there. Life is (like my kids would say)…sweeeeeeeeeeeet!
Once again, another great post!
ND’s biggest ST! fans!!!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
My life is one blessing after another.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 10:01 am
My life is a ROLLER COASTER, I HAVE MY UPS AND DOWNS . BUT I DO LOVE A ROLLERCOASTER.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 10:01 am
My life IS! and for that I am extremely grateful, I am blessed each day that I can live, love and give to my family. What a blessing. Another thought I had about the HARD issue, which for the record, has crossed my thoughts more often that I would like to admit, is anything worth having is worth working for. My Grandma said that. And those things worked for are more appreciated. I appreciate my beautiful daughters, challenges and all, because I never take them for granted. If I may reference the Bible, in Romans 5 it talks about adversity building Character and Character building HOPE. We are a family with a lot of “character” or should I say “characters” and are filled with Hope for tomorrow.
Bless you Rachel for sharing your thoughts and encouraging all of us!!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
My life is… Blessed b/c a lady I know wrote the song SHINE
You have no idea how that song helps me. My all time FAVORITE song EVER!!!
Jenn
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January 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 am
My life is…..a journey I guess. Sometimes its over rough patches, and sometimes its smooth sailing. Every day is different.
Its so awesome that you have created a community of others who are here to give and recieve support! Thanks!!!!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
My Life is Colorful!
If every shade represents varying moods, my life is all of them to various degrees at different times and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our life challenges helps build our character and what great characters with great stories we all are!!!
Thank you Rachel for being you and doing brilliant work for the greater good of others and yourself and your family.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
My life is filled with blessings. My children, grandchildren, amazing extended family, friends, church. All of these are my blessings and I thank God every day for each and every one of them. My life, like Rachel’s didn’t go the way I expected it to. I became a single mom at age 28 with a 3 year old and a 3 month old. Now they are grown and I am happily involved with two of my three grandsons (the third lives in a different state but I do see him often). My youngest grandson ALEX is hearing impaired, does not speak and was diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome. That has involved a number of adjustments for all of us, not the least of which has been learning to sign, which at age 61, for me, has not been easy, but I am struggling through it with the help of Signing Time and some local classes. Alex is sweet, intelligent and amazing and with his help we have all embarked on this life adventure and, in many ways, because of him, we are all becoming better people.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
My life is a gift. My life is up to me!
Rachel,
You are an inspiration to many. I will always remember the words of my then 5 year old daughter after viewing her first Signing Time Video, “Momma, I wish I were Leah! She has so much fun!” Making a disability into something that others wish for, qualifies you as a true hero! I have to say that your life has become a power, an incredible force which you use to influence unnumbered lives.
Warmly,
Amy & Co.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Rachel, this post really hits home for me right now. I realize that I have been living out of that place of “exhausted/exhaustion” (my personal version of “hard” I guess). Nothing like a shift in context to help pull me up, thanks!
My life is: blessed, rich with growth opportunities, a constant learning experience, a manifestation of my strengths, full of abundant love. A gift.
(I’m going to print that and put it on my computer, my mirror, etc…to remind me!)
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January 22nd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
My life is…a new beginning every day. Full of reinvention, positive thinking and attempts to move forward without forgetting the lessons of the past. This can be considered “hard” but like another post stated so admirably; what is wrong with “hard?” It definately builds character! A little too much at times but how boring would rain be if we didn’t have rainbows to look forward to!
Thanks for the thoughts Rachel, it keeps life in perspective!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 7:12 pm
What a wonderful post, Rachel!!! I love it!
I have always described my life as an adventure – I love that you add “unexpected” to your description
I’ve been feeling lately as if I’ve just been surviving, that just making it through the day while keeping my family intact and hitting everything on the schedule without forgetting something is an accomplishment. It makes me sad, and I’ve decided that just surviving isn’t going to cut it anymore – I want to LIVE again!
I love my life, I love my family, I love my children. My life is full and wonderful and each day is an adventure and a gift, and I need to look at it as such, and know that even though things are often hard, things are still GREAT
Thanks for the reminder and the thought provoking post.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 8:03 pm
My life is chaotically amazing.
I am sitting here on my couch. I am in immense physical pain & have a hard time walking. I am watching a movie with my 2yr old twin boys. One on my left, with his head on my arm. My other son has his arm around my neck & is resting his head on mine. How can anyone complain about having twin toddlers when THIS is what I am lucky enough to experience. Even my own health concerns are always on the front line, it can magically disappear when I’m with them.
Everyone’s life is uniquely challenging. What is difficult for me, can be easy for someone else. I try not to judge the difficulty of someone else’s life because I don’t like it when people judge mine.
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January 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
My life is….. complicated! This thought came to me as I drove my preschooler son (with Down Syndrome) to his developemental preschool. BUT thanks to you – Rachel- that thought did not bring me down. You have become my hero! My son has a way to communicate with me, his Dad, his 9 siblings AND some of his teachers….all because the director in a SLP’s office loaned us a Signing Time video. In one week my son had moved way beyond “milk, more, Dad, Mom, water and cracker” that we had learned in a baby sign class when he was 9 months old. We bought season one ….it is the BEST thing we have done for him. Thanks to you, your sister and Leah…. a little boy in Washington smiles and claps when we “get it” and I don’t feel defeated by circumstance anymore. THANK YOU!
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January 22nd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I have become a mattress clinger. I am always late because I haven’t had the umph to get out of bed. Deep inside I say, “who cares”. But I don’t like this! And I have been praying for something to change. Now I now what the answer is…. I have to change my outlook! Thank you!
I learned something recently to help me figure out how to attack this assignment. It has to be true, so that I believe it, not just any sunshiny word.
My life is….full of Surprises! I will smile every time I say it to myself.
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January 23rd, 2009 at 1:21 am
Rachel you are my hero! You have inspired and blessed me and my family in so many ways that you will never know!!
When my daughter was born at 28 weeks and weighed only 1lb. 1 oz. we knew that she was going to be very special!! And boy is she!!! Being a sweet 3 year old girl with Autism can be “hard” for her at times, as well as her Mommy and Daddy, but your amazing videos have taught us all so much!! Because she is non-verbal, your videos have taught us all the amazing world of Sign Language. After only 2 years of signing, my daughter has learned over 200 signs and is reading the words (by signing) too! We are so grateful for all that you have done for her. You have helped give her a way to communicate with the world that I know my husband and I could not have done on our own.
We love your fun and beautiful songs (and videos) and we listen and sign to them all day long!!
Thank you Rachel, Alex and Leah for all that you do!
My life is. . . blessed!!
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January 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 am
In the Landmark Forum, one of the things they clue you into is that all of the problems you have today are the solutions to the problems you had before. Wow. Every time I think about that, I am just FLOORED. Anywho! What this boils down to is that “my life is the one I’ve chosen.” It’s not something that’s happening TO me – it’s something that *I* am creating.
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January 23rd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Rachel,
I always think of your letter when I think of “too hard”. The only time it’s hard is if *you* say so. We make our own decisions for ourselves, and that includes how we choose to think, as well as our actions. I think my new set of wheels has given me wings and a sense of justification that I am not just that girl in the wheelchair. As a matter of fact, I got a shirt made that says “What’s YOUR problem?” but have never worn it to school, because I’ve been afraid that other kids may be offended by it. I don’t really care what other kids think of me; I’m just my own person and that’s all I can be.
My life is enriched. My life is fun. My life is full of opportunities. I hope to jump at every chance I get to live life to its fullest.
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January 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
People say to me “Oh it must be so hard to be a single mom.” Then, when they learn that my kid is disabled, “Oh it must be SO hard to be a single mom with a disabled kid.” I tell them that I haven’t known it any other way than how it is with my kid.
Is it hard? Yes. Challenging? Of course. Frustrating? You betcha. Infuriating? Ohhh yeah (don’t get me started)… But here’s the thing. I allow myself those feelings, and the freedom to express them. What I find on the other side of temper tantrums, poops on the floor, plugged up sinks and ice-cream sprinkles in my bed, is a kiddo who now hugs me tight, wants to look at the birds outside the window, has learned to spell her name and now calls me “Mama”. She signs so many words, but I don’t think she knows the sign for “hard”.
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January 24th, 2009 at 12:26 am
My life is…full of love…for myself, for my husband, my children, my parents, brother, and in-laws. I could not imagine living without any of those people…and it took a “HARD” road to arrive where I am. I truly believe that you should live with few if any regrets. Who you were, what you did in the past…everything has made you who you are right now. Why would you want to change that? What’s the saying?…”God don’t make no junk.” Thank you for what you have brought into my life. My 7 and 4.5 year olds LOVE you and what you have taught them. I love you and your family for bringing ST into my family and as a bonus, I get to surprise new customers at my pharmacy who are hearing impaired when I sign to them. It brings a smile to my day and I have you (in part) to thank for that (for a long time ago I took my first sign language class in Middle School, after I had taught myself the alphabet from World Book Encyclopedia in elem. school). You make signs easier to remember, so Thank You!
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January 24th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Hi, Rachel! I love watching your show and am just starting to share the fun of learning signs with my two boys, who are 11 & 12, both with special needs. My life is not going the way that I planned for it to go back when I was in college and engaged. We are on the uphill side of the roller coaster at this point. But I have been inspired by reading your blog. It brought tears to my eyes, and has encouraged me to hang in there and get to the downhill side. Thank-you for all that you do to share stories that inspire other parents with special needs children and to help all of us to have fun learning a new language that we can share with our special kids.
After watching your show one Sunday morning, we were driving in the car and I started practicing my new signs out loud, “BIRD”. My husband and my boys started cracking up and it’s still a family joke that helps us laugh together! Thank-you, thank-you!
My life is…FULL and INSPIRED!
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January 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
My life is…what I choose to make it.
I have long been a believer in the theory that if you act happy, then you will be happy. You choose every day to be in a good mood or a bad mood, happy or sad, to see the clouds or the silver lining.
My life is nowhere near what I thought it would be. I have been through some “hard” times. I have also come to realize that those “hard” times made me who I am today. I am finally in a place where I like myself and who I have become.
Thanks, Rachel, for the reminder to see the good in life, to appreciate the rain for the flowers it brings.
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January 24th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Rachel….
I took a few days to think about My Life is…. I came up with many different answers… But I figured out the right one that summed it all up…
My Life is Shining!
That was the best word I could think of, because of the song…. Yes at times my life is crazy, hectic, exhausting, blessed, wonderful, amazing, nutty, sleep deprived and many other things.. But Jacob will do, What Jacob will do when Jacob is ready to do it and so will Hunter and Charlie.
So we are gonna Shine right threw all the craziness, chaotic mess, joyful times, blessed times, and everything else there is…
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January 25th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Thru my point of view, my family’s life is challenging, busy and NEVER boring. These words I mean in a positive way. I love my ds, the brightness he brings to my life and everything else that comes along the way. It all started with his hearing loss diagnosis at 23 months and in the 5 years since its been a roller coaster of high, lows, meeting many different people and going different places.
My ds lives his life on his terms and is a special person. He doesn’t know that he is delayed or has to work twice as hard as the average person to communicate. So you could also say that life is also inspiring.
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January 25th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thanks Rachel so much for your post. This is the first time I am reading it and I too to needed to redo the things in my life that are making things hard for me. Yes I too felt like my life didn’t turn out the way it was suppose to. However I wouldn’t have met all the people in my life. For you see I have a beautiful 6 yr old daughter who is autistic and non verble. Yes I want to freak out alot. Yes I want to scream however I look at her and she gives me kisses and hugs and I love it. I know I married late in life. (I remember saying God needed to drop a bowling ball on the one he prepared for me that is why it took so long) Ha-Ha;. Rachel my life is not hard it is interesting and not boring that is for sure and a roller coaster and has God in it all the time because trust me I think I would go crazy if he wasn’t in it. So thank you again. Just started using signs not to long ago. Other people wanted to use the pecs (dear daughter loves to tear paper big time ). Saw your videos and loved them for we both daughter and I are visual learners and I love the way you explain them. Man girl you have speed on finger spelling my fingers hurt after awhile. So thanks again. You were sent with your cross to help others on their journey. So remember when things get frustred sometimes go back and read the many e-mails that people write to you thanking you for all you have done to help them along the way.
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January 26th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Rachel,
I just wanted to tell you what my 3-year-old daughter told me this morning as she was watching the ‘My Day’ DVD – “I want to be like Rachel when I grow up. I want to be her when I’m a big person.” She’s never said anything like that before and we don’t really talk about “What do you want to be when you grow up?” yet, so it surprised me to hear her say it. It also delighted me that she would choose a talented, passionate, loving person like you as her model. (Well, I guess I chose you first by showing her the DVDs, but she has adopted you, Leah, Alex and Hopkins as her OWN!)
Thank you so much for Signing Time.
Angie
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January 26th, 2009 at 9:53 am
My word before was ‘Frustrating’. Being hard of hearing is frustrating. Trying to understand hearing people is frustrating. Trying to understand my mother sitting next to me in church is frustrating (she doesn’t sign). Having my middle child take advantage of my hearing loss is frustrating. Going to lectures is frustrating. Having to wait for movies to come to DVD or open captions is frustrating. Using the phone is frustrating. Dealing with people who have accents, mustaches, etc. is frustrating. AUGH! I just want to vent the frustration that my life is sometimes! You’re not deaf yet but you’re not hearing either.
My new word is ‘challenging’ because a challenge is something you can meet and overcome. So plug in that word instead.
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January 27th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Rachel-
I love reading your blog. I was hoping you could help me, I took a year of sign language in college. I now teach a few signs to my daughters preschool class, the hope was to help a little 5 year old classmate of hers to use some signs to communicate with her friends. At 5 she cannot talk and the parents up until now haven’t taken steps to find out why. So, I volunteered to teach some basic signs. My daughters teacher has asked me to come up with a simple nursery rhyme for them to do at their spring program to show all the parents some signing. I don’t know where to start. I was hoping maybe you had a video, but I can’t find one. Any help would be appreciated.
Carolyn
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January 28th, 2009 at 8:04 am
My life is…beautiful.
And chaotic.
And hard to schedule.
But mostly, beautiful.
We’re new to “Signing Time” (I keep writing “singing”–shows my musical bias!) and I’m delighted to find your blog.
-Kate Basi,
proud mother of Alex, Julianna (who has Down syndrome) and one soon to make its appearance!
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February 2nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
My life is a unique opportunity.
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February 3rd, 2009 at 1:23 am
My life is bless(ed?).
Tonight I am sitting in my room listening to my sick kiddo. She has cystic fibosis and 22q11. And a cold- lets not forget the cold. She’s been sick for over a week now and on antibodics since wednesday so almost a week on them. And she’s still coughing and just not her self.
Today she barely ate anything and I was just getting frustrated with her not eating- even my voices in my head were telling me its ok, she’s sick, etc. One even piped up that this could be a sign of throwing up tonight later…so I changed moods and prepared for the long night. No throw up yet but well Murphy and I are old pals and he knows I know about him (does that make sense). For a while, my daughter was laying in my bed half asleep, half awake watching Disney shorts and I stared at her dreading the night to come and yet finding the joy. The joy is the fact that had she been normal- she wouldnt be where she was now (in my bed) and I wouldnt be watching her eyes and telling a friend the play by play- eyes open, eyes close; on facebook.
Its hard and frustrating having a special needs kid but even right now as I’m mentally telling myself I’m not going to be sleeping well or any tonight, I cant help but feel so very bless to have my daugther in my life.
I wouldnt have an interest in speical needs kids or even know about signing time (probably wouldnt even THINK about baby signing) or anything I know now…but since my kid is far from normal- I get to be on the inside of a speical group of people who know chanllenges like I do…and I know people who dont know and well they just take their kids health and life for granted and not find the joy.
so my life is so very bless
and heres an aside note- my kid cant say consants (nor can I spell…) but she loves singing the opening song or at least the Alex and Leah part comes out very clearly and that just makes my day…if only she use the signs MORE OFTEN would make MY DAY even better…lol thanks for ST!!
Laters
Kristen
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February 4th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Rachel, I sit here and always thought it would be so cool to have a chance to talk to you. I have all your first and second set of dvd and books. I love watching them. My son from the day he was born has had a hearing loss. We would go to the doctor apt and they would say he would hear between 40-60 and then the next it would be that he can hear good. So at 2 months old he got hearing aids. We were so blessed with good health insurance that because it was a birth defect they paid for them. Well, for the last 4 years we have watched signing time with them. we are learning a lot. We have applied to have the kids on your show and would love it if they could someday be on there.
Well, We went to the audiologist just this last week and they think they might have found the problem. But we will see we go to Primary Childrens again Feb 18th.
My Kids just love watching your video’s and we cant wait for more books to be coming out. My kids have learned so many signs. Do you ever teach classes in UTah? I seen you went out of the country but do you teach locally or would you consider that?
Thanks,
Ashley Wright
wrightpictures11@yahoo.com
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February 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
[...] mom, Rachel, has her own blog that she writes about her journey with and vision for Signing Time. Her latest post on how she used to describe her life as ‘hard,’ is inspiring to say the [...]
February 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
My life is a constant educational opportunity…seriously I could be an honorary doctor
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February 9th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
This may be the first time that there are SO many comments, that I am not sure I can respond individually to them all. I want you to know that I have read each one. You all continually inspire me. For that, I thank you~
Rachel
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February 15th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
my life is what i make it, no matter how bad things get or seem remember, someone always has it worse than you !!!!! live by that and you’ll realize it’s not as bad as you think.
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February 20th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Rachel, These posts and comments are so beautiful. I have to share something with you. I run a parent resource center and we have interns who are college students and volunteers who help us. A thirty-something autistic man wanted to volunteer. Because communication is very, very hard for him, he could not answer phones or help patrons, but he is good with computers and numbers, so he helped us re-shelve books and organize materials. Trying to talk to him took a lot of patience because you could talk to him but you would have to wait a long time for him to get one or two word phrases out to answer you. When he was finished with his tasks each day, he would take a Signing Time DVD off the shelf and watch it while he waited until it was time for his ride to come. He loved the signing time DVDs and watched them all and practiced his signs. One day I looked him in the eye and said, “Don, do you wish you had these when you were young?” There was a long pause, his eyes welled up with tears and he finally got out the word “yes.” I could feel that in that one “yes” were years and years of wishing and hoping and trying to find a way to say what he was thinking and feeling. Rachel, your life is a miracle. All the people you have helped, you will probably never know, but they know you. Thank you, Rachel. Your life is an inspiration and a blessing.
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February 20th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
My life is..inspired. I also have a child with special needs. He was born “typical” but was diagnosed with leukemia at 23m and on his 3rd birthday had a septic event and multi system organ failure. A month later he woke up in the PICU with a hypoxic brain injury. He has regain alot of abilities but still cant talk or walk. Our family has endured alot. I think of it as a battle most of the time. Its difficult and painful but the victories are sweet. My children are warriors along with my husband Robert and myself. They make life rich. Never easy but oh so worth while. Watching a child with special needs learn or relearn a task is one the of great wonders of the world. Precious little is worth more. Rachel, Your videos are one of the first items we found after his brain injury that changed our world for the better. We went about 6 month where we had NO way to communicate with our son. I broke down every day. Many times a day. This was a three year old who was “typical”. He was awake talking to me one minute and then they put him to sleep and when he woke up he couldnt talk anymore. He was frusterated and angry and scared and sheer paniced all at once. Watching that was….no words can discribe that pain. I just wanted it to stop and him to get better. We had to sedate him alot because he would panic to the point that we were afraid for his heart. He finally gave up after about 3 months. That too was heart breaking. About 3 months after that we found your videos at our library. I had never heard of signing time. All three of my children LOVED them. Ethan learned so much. Then we went online and learned and Ethan came alive again. He could communicate! Its been almost 3 years now and he knows many signs and even has a dynavox communication device.
When I read your blog I cried. I have felt exactly like that for a long time. This life is so hard. All I do is trudge through the day. I feel robbed of the last 4 years. We were supposed to be going to the park or plays or playdates or church or whatever else young parents do with their young beautiful children. But instead it was 3-5 days a week of doctors and therapists or counseling over and over everyday and homeschooling or dealing with difficult schools systems. I dont work outside of the home. That hasnt been an option. It has been hard, I dont even know what it feels like to not be tired. But I hate that. My children are amazing. Each very different and fun outgoing. They are just really cool kids. I want to say that I enjoy every moment with them or raising them. I feel guilty. I never want them to feel its their fault or that I resent this life. Ethan was a victim. He has endured so much. I am honored to be the one chosen out of all the billions of women on this plant to be the ONE mom he has. How awesome is that. He loves me so much. Nothing feels better than knowing that. My children give me the energy to go and go and go. They have inspired me.
I am sorry this is so long. I didnt expect it to be. I just wanted you know that you and Leah helped give my Ethan his Helen Keller moment.
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February 22nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
The past year I have defined my life as exhausting…and full of miracles.
This post has really made me think it through and now I define my life is…laughing until I cry, then crying until I laugh again.
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February 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 am
Well I have a new one…my life is ever-changing….we recently learned that Jack has become legally blind from the optic nerve damage. He continues to enjoys combining sign and speech. Thank God for our huge flat screen tv and our portable dvd player. He gets pretty close and still learns new signs. We will soon get to meet some other parents and children with visual impairments. I’m excited with how we can use this “new to us clueless parents!” information to help Jack better understand the parts of this world he does see. Jack is a trooper and has adapted so well that many many people were shocked by this revelation. And I know there are quite a few people thinking but how can he sign if he can’t see? He began learning to communicate this way when his vision was much better. Now I sign right in front of [as in inches away from] his one “good” eye if I am doing fingerspelling and I stay close if it is a full body sign. Because he knows this is a way to communicate, he tries to see and tries to learn. Now we know why he does some signs a little off. For instance, he learned to sign I love you. [The long version. His lack of finger dexterity won't allow him to do the ILY hand sign. Anyway he used to just sign love (arms crossed over chest). Now he taps his chin for I because on his Elmo video he thought the girl was tapping her chin instead of pointing at her chest. He got the general idea but could not see the fine detail. He still doesn't do the you part and I think it's because the motion of the arm sticking out causes him to lose sight of that part. But you know when he means you and when he's means something else. He has a way that I can't describe.] It’s an amazing roller coaster ride we’re on and Signing Time is one of the most joyous parts!
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March 9th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I guess i would have to say My life is an Adventure with many twists and turns. I never know whta to expect.
My life is full of blessings. Even though things don’t always go as planned I know there is an even better plan for me, I just need to wait.
Thank you, Rachel for taking the time so many years ago to be my friend. You did not give up on me as I struggled to learn Sign language. Who knew that after all these years of not seeing you, that you would still inspire me. Thank you for sharing you thoughts, I learn so much from you and I apreciate your strength.
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March 16th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Dear Rachel’
My phrase is “I hate my life” and I became more sinful as I covent over your life. You are a true tower of strenght to me and you are the one that “Shine”s. Maybe now I can learn how to “love my life” Thanks.
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September 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 am
You inspired me to come up with a better way for me to look at my life. MY LIFE IS…Rich with blessings…Never dull!…Full…of love and a wonderful family…An Adventure…A Journey…Crazy…a good kind of craziness!…The Wild Kingdom…A Zoo!…and very Challenging! Thanks Rachel for all you do. My family loves you and can’t wait to meet you one day! Keep up the good work!
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