Free Wheelin'

Adventure awaits, only a thousand things to do before we go.

We leave Alaska on the 25th of May--in LESS than TWO WEEKS-- to drive to southern Oregon. Down the Alcan Highway to the lower 48. On the other side of Canada. (OK I know you know--especially those of you who live outside the US, but since 12 percent of US citizens polled don't know that Alaska is a state and 60 percent think Alaska is covered in snow and ice year round those of us that live up here sometimes wonder what people know.) All I know, is we need to be in Grants Pass no later than the 31st for Travis's rehearsal dinner. Our goal is to arrive on Nick's parents' doorstep the night of the 30th. Over 2,000 miles with a three year old in five days.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

But.

Wait.

We're talking about Elias.

The boy who wakes up on most mornings and asks to go on a truck ride. Or a bus ride. Ride the bigga bigga bus!!!! And it doesn't stop with breakfast. Tuck-ride-bus-ride all-day-long. 

He even does his "oh face" when I mention the word bus, as if I just told him we were moving to Disney Land to live with Mickey. Or Shrek. That's a bit more timely huh?

(But the thing is, he could care less about the green guy or the magic kingdom. The only TV he's even a tiny bit interested in watching--meaning a minute maybe--is basketball, football, or hockey.  But his attention for anything on TV, or anything else really, is far less than for his fleet of toy buses.)

The kid loves transportation. Anything that moves. Anything with wheels.  He's not alone, or different, in this regard.

"Mommy look!" a little stout girl with long blond braids said earlier tonight as Elias and I walked into the hospital.

She pointed at Elias with his shiny new walker. "I want one of those." she declared.

"Yep its pretty cool" her mom said without slowing her brisk pace towards the door. When I smiled in her direction, she looked away.

As they walked out, hands held, mom ahead, girl looking longingly over her shoulder towards Elias's walker, I heard: "Mommy when can I get one of those?"

I wish I could have heard her answer.

Here's mine:

When you least expect it. Never. When you're 94. Anytime.

There's a pack of young kids who play on our street--roller blading, biking, or throwing anything they can.  Most of them live in the apartment building on the corner. Some across the street from the goats.

While walking the other night with Elias one of them asked,  "Can he play out?" 

"No, not yet." I said and smiled at the thought.

In our neighborhood, Elias is in the minority. As the only blond child on our street and the only preschooler with wheels, he is not part of the pack. I don't want skin color or ability to keep him isolated and hope that he can eventually join their kickball games, but I am not yet ready to shoo him out the door to play outside. Not when he can't stand. Or see too well. Or say more than seven words without losing his breath.

And even without these considerations, he's only three.

And its a street.

A slow street but a street with cars with wheels that move a bit faster than Elias's.

But they WANT him to play.

And that's what makes me smile.

Last night, as we worked in the yard a group of the neighbor kids stopped by to see what we were doing.  The older one, a handsome boy of about nine who smiles easily, told me he sees Elias at school.

"He's the one with red monkey shoes and the crutches on wheels."

I told him it was called a walker but afterwards I wished I hadn't because I like the term "crutches on wheels."

I love how he took two familiar objects and put them together in order to make sense of the unknown. By connecting it to his experience he found a way to familiarize it and make it comfortable. Nothing to fear. Just crutches on wheels.

(And yes, I just took that picture this weekend, and yes we have to wear fleece hats in May some days but do you see any snow? huh? Do you? Ice? Oh, you want more proof? Ok here comes Elias to show you...)

Comments

[JenniferB]

I love the "crutches on wheels" comment. I hope you let that young boy know that is a cool way to express it -- that might be shared with his friends, other friends, Elias' future friends. And the pictures of Elias crawling -- so cute! What are you planting in your planter boxes?

[jill]

No fleece hats needed for Oregon. Pack your summer clothes. It has been in the mid-80s. Have fun on the road trip....Elias should be delighted. Children often delight in the things parents dread....long car trips included. Enjoy!

[Bon]

aw hell, it's going to snow here later today, so says the weather report. and we're waaaay south of you guys. so i think Elias' hat is just stylish. :)

and i like the "crutches on wheels" too.

too bad that the mom of the little girl who wanted a walker didn't have the time/comfort level to stop and really allow that conversation to unfold.

as for the big trip...i've always wanted to do it! i spent two years in Canada's arctic, but never made it west to the Yukon or Alaska, and have never driven North - South. one of my dreams. please take pictures, and drive safe.

[Kyla]

Crutches with wheels, very cool. Almost as cool as "walk car". *lol*

I hope you guys have a blast on the big trip!!

[Sara]

I was thinking "well yeah on the other side of Canada, after you get through Washington state..." :) That's a LONG drive.

And see?? They're already pulling him into their circle - kids are great! I KNOW there will be moments when Tobes and Elias feel "outside", but it's also way better than we fear.

Love "crutches on wheels".

[Mel]

The neighbor kids here knock at the door 5 or 6 times a day asking if Crew can play. I love it that they don't see his limitations.

I too love the term, "Crutches on wheels". What a cool kid!

[Christy]

JenniferB--I kick myself for telling him the "correct" name when his had more kid meaning...next time I see him I'll have to let him know that he can still call Elias's walker crutches on wheels.
Planting peas, kale, swiss chard, beets, carrots, and lettuce, in the style of throw seeds in the soil and hope--though we do have good friends who are house-sitting so we may return to a harvest. If not oh well, there's next year.

Jill, yesterday it was in the 40s so though i know I need to think hot its hard to wrap my head around it. Thanks for the update:)

Bon, i too wish the mom had slowed her pace so we could talk to her daughter. My answer would have been way different than what i wrote here. And yes, we'll take pictures. And share.

Kyla, I still think Kaytar signing walk and car for walker is the coolest.

Sara and Mel, I wish you lived on my street too so our kids could always be inside when they are outside. Glad to hear about the multiple knocks. I do love the open hearts of children.

And though I let out a yelp at the thought of our long car ride i truly cant wait to be free of a zillion appointments and fragmented days and for our "job" to be to drive and bike and drive. And dont even get me started about how great it will be to see everyone.

Ok back to my To Do list now.

[Audrey]

Christy you are such an amazing writer. the way you piece fragmented thoughts together to make such beautiful wisdom is truly amazing. thanks for keeping on writing and sharing your journey. can't wait to see you guys tomorrow!!! :)

[audrey]

btw - with more hope and good garden love i am optimistic that you will return to a good garden harvest...

[Christy]

Audrey, I have total faith in you just not in my rushed, haphazard planting process this year...literally throwing seeds in the unprepared soil and raking them in... I got biking on my brain:)

And your support of my writing means the world.

[mae ann]

Hi Christy. I could just see Elias' "oh face" as you mention bus. Remember when one of his first phrases was "gotta go" and off he go to explore and to move. Have a wonderful trip! And I agree with Audrey that you have great talent to piece together thoughts to "make such beautiful wisdom".