Thanks to Ger, Ethan's mum for sharing this story with us.
The tree sits in the corner; the lights are brightly twinkling as the evening darkness creeps through the window.
I wait.
He limps towards it.
Tapping each and every dangling decoration (within his height & range), he stares at one in particular; it’s the same one that catches his eye every single time...Santa..standing alone in a half opened babule.
‘Santa’ he exclaims with the same level of excitement each and every time he touches it.
I sit closer to him and the tree.
“Yes baby” I almost whisper, afraid I’ll take him out of this moment.
“Santa...Trissmass” he extends his arms as far as they will allow, “Whoo hoo” he roars as his face goes from pale to red in an instant. He is compelled to run. He is over excited. He is now having a sensory overload as the excitement is building, he has realised Santa is indeed, coming. His body is unable to move as quickly as he feels he needs it to; but that doesn’t stop him from trying. He runs. Seconds later he is back. Sitting calmly on my lap. His eyes glaze over once more as he stares at the big TV hanging over the decorated mantlepiece.
I kiss the back of his head.
We watch ‘Mickey Mouse’ for a few minutes; right up until the commercial break.
He turns and kisses me, the tree catches his eye once more.
He wobbles getting off my lap.
I wait.
He limps towards the tree.
Tapping each and every dangling decoration…
“Santa is coming” I tell him, when he comes back from his forced run.
“Santa coming” he repeats after me...his eyes glaze over as ‘Mickey Mouse’ stares back out at us from the big TV hanging over the decorated mantlepiece.
I turn the TV off. I show him all the decorations. I show him the ones with his name on them. I show him the ones he made for me. My eyes sting as he roars ‘Fug way’. He bites his thumb, so hard, so very hard that I am afraid he will hurt himself. I quickly turn the TV back on. Gently I pull his thumb from his mouth and place a chewy tube in it’s place. He laughs as ‘Mickey’ is now singing and dancing- ‘The Hotdog Dance’ --(one of Mickey’s catchier numbers if you ask me!)
He wiggles on my lap, roaring at the TV and doing his best to sing along.
Mickey is now saying his final goodbyes; Ethan turns to kiss me. He spots the tree.
He wobbles getting off my lap.
I wait.
He limps towards the tree.
Tapping each and every dangling decoration…
Thanks to Ger, Ethan's mum for sharing this story with us.
For those of you who don't already know, Ger had been writing for us at Family Friendly HQ for the past number of months, keeping us up to date with life with Ethan.
Ethan is thirteen and has a rare genetic condition known as Hunter Syndrome.
You can read more about Ethan here
Or, you can Follow his mum Ger on facebook at "It's me Ethan" and and read her amazing blog at geraldinerenton.com
On behalf of all of the team here at Family Friendly HQ we wish Ger, Ethan and their family a very special Christmas. We love you x
