Our little Donovyn, who came into this world at 32 weeks 2 days weighing 3 pounds 2.8 ounces, turned 13 years old last week! Can't believe he's that old already! It's like he was just a couple of weeks, months, years old and then I blinked. I glanced over to the corner in our kitchen where we used to have a high chair and now my child, my teenager, is talking about cars and jobs. He was so young when we lost his youngest brother and so I think I measure that time with my loss as well. I have tried to keep it separate, but that time is sneaky and overlaps as much as I don't want it to. He was very pleased with his present which he knew he was getting. He was practically over my shoulder as I was ordering it off of the internet. He still likes his Transformers. It will be interesting to see when those eventually take a backseat to other interests. We all have our stuff.
He volunteered on his special day and helped to sell 50/50 raffle tickets at a Phoenix Coyotes game. It was for one of our favorite non-profits and he was earning NJHS hours too. The event coordinator set up a surprise for him to ride the zamboni! We kept it a secret until about lunch time the day of and figured we'd better tell him so that he can digest it. I think it's good that we did because he was a little nervous. He has attended hockey games before, so he was familiar with it, but wondered if he was going to be the only one out there. As it turned out, he wasn't alone out there on the ice. There was a secondary zamboni out there with him. That made him feel more comfortable. It was a girl about his age and get this, her name was Lindsey! I know! He was like, "Mom, it's like you were there with me." Love this kid!
I didn't get to see this proud mommy moment. I thought of how to be there, but when I do that, it becomes too complicated. We knew that if T went along, he'd want to ride the zamboni too and that might be hard. The day was about D, so we needed to keep it that way and let him shine. I know that it can't be easy sometimes for D to have a younger bro on the spectrum. I wanted to give him this day, this break to not have to worry about anything nor anyone. Just go and have fun! He practiced a little routine too when out on the zamboni: using fingers showing 13, raise the roof, dab right, dab left, and wave! Repeat. He had so much fun!!! He came home and told me all about it and said that he wants to do it again. When he and hubby made their way back to the concourse, a former bowling friend came up to him and congratulated him. He and his family are super hockey fans and he was a little envious that D got to take a ride. Apparently, it is something that people can do if they donate a certain amount per organization rules. Very cool! His name was even on the jumbotron!
This bday celebration was really a good one. It will be hard to beat next year. I'm just glad that he can look back and remember his special day. He thanked us a couple of times later on that evening. We know that this meant a lot to him.
I have my purple bulbs in my coach lights on for one more night to highlight Prematurity Awareness Month and then they change to holiday ones.
Lindsay - I can’t believe you have a teenager! Happy 13th Birthday to Donovyn! I’m glad he had such a special day! I love that he volunteered to help others on his birthday. He sounds like a very generous and giving young man and I’m sure he is inspired by his awesome mom!
Hugs,
Marissa
P.S. My boys love Transformers too - we had a few new additions this year for Hanukkah.
This is awesome!! It sounds like such a great birthday! So happy he had a good day and so sweet how he said you were there with him because the girl had the same name. Melts my heart!
He looks so happy in the photo! :)
Holy moly -- a teenager already?? Happy birthday to D! Looks like he had a great day!
erin