I would call today the perfect day. We have been looking forward to today all week. Today was color war at Daniel’s school. The year virtually revolves around color war. Color war is ultimately spirit week on steroids for those of you without knowledge of this monumental event in DJDS history. Daniel lived for color war and was always one of the most involved kids you could imagine. He has shaved elaborate designs in his head for years and has shed many tears for wins and losses over the years. In fact his screen saver on his phone and computer are still his final night of color war competition so you can see how important color war is to Daniel. Missing this event is heartbreaking and not being part of it was difficult knowing he wouldn’t be at the school this year. Although the week is filled with fun activites and competitions the culminate tonight at the school, the highlight of the week (in my opinion) is the lip synch competition. We figured it was small and controlled enough to attend and still get Daniel involved enough , yet keep Daniel at arms length from germs. Remember this was going into “the school zone” which to me is the same thing as GERM CENTRAL. After gearing up and speaking to Josh Lake, Daniel’s best teacher friend and school adviser, also leader of color war, I felt confident enough to take Daniel there. We have been looking forward to it for a week. As much as Daniel looked forward to seeing his friends and being back at the school for the biggest day of the year, I was getting to see all my friends after a long time too. Remember these are all the supportive friends I haven’t seen all year either (I forgot to mention many parents go to watch this event as well). When we walked into school we were warmly greeted by the two headed of the school with a wonderful welcome. It was good to be in the halls again. As we walked to the gym I could see Daniel’s excitement growing and was worried it would be too emotional for him. Joy mixed with sadness, bittersweet feelings. All of you that experience color war know that the feelings Daniel must have felt being there but not being able to participate with his best friends must have been excruciatingly difficult. But as we walked through those familiar doors of the gym and kids started approaching, most knowing that there is a no contact rule, their faces seeing Daniel was unexplainable. Then Josh approached and the hug that Daniel has been wanting from him for so long came. Holding each other maybe longer than they should have. It was the only hug that Daniel said he would allow and missed so badly. Then the clapping and chanting and cheering came. Bothe competing teams started screaming Daniel’s name welcoming him back to school. Back to color war and back home. Tears were flowing as I realized this is the place he needed to be today. Then with honor Josh handed Daniel the coveted clipboard and explained the rules of color war and ushered Daniel to the front table. They made Daniel a judge of lip synch. This is huge people. This is like a Daniel Hailpern dream come true. Josh was so exceptionally great and made an extra effort to keep the crowds of kids away from Daniel. Their special bond is so evident and this was so apparent in the way he took care of Daniel today. Thank you so much for your love Josh. The competition was fierce and of course Daniel did not divulge his decision to me. When the competition was over and the crowds parted I visited with some parents as Daniel and his buddies hung out and chatted. Several of us mom’s looked on and were teary just watching how happy and comfortable they all were. I was so happy to see them enjoy eachother but so sad thinking of the time he has lost. I looked at all the kids today seeing how much they have all grown up in a year. I can’t believe how long it has been since I have seen them. These kids are growing into young adults and it happened overnight and for me I seemed to have missed it. They were all so great and warm and welcoming today. When the kids all incesently scream "who's gonna win this color war?" I can confidently answer this time by saying Today, We Did. Many people stopped me to tell me that this was clearly the BEST part of DJDS COLOR WAR 2015. This may be Daniel's most memorable moment yet of all wars. I see an new screen saver in his future.
When it was time to go Daniel and I went to lunch with two friends of mine from the school. My dear friends Lisa and Ronit, my rock solid support that have been so strong for me, Mom’s of Daniel’s friends. We sat for hours with Daniel and had great conversation and Daniel was everybit a part of it. He has had to grow up quickly and can carry on a conversation with anyone. Actually he can talk so much he can probably carry on a conversation with himself. Anyway, it drilled further home how lonely a year it has been and how ready I am for us to get back to our friends. I may not have wrote a blog that Daniel’s CMV is very close to being gone so this is closer than ever to being a reality. Soon, soon.
We then went to physical therapy that reminded me how terribly uncoordinated Daniel is and how hard he needs to work everyday to get his strength back. My guess is he will be exhausted tonight but nothing is going to bring him down from his feeling of being on cloud nine.
This has been one of our best days in a long time. It reminds me that the comforts of home don’t lie within the four walls which you live but in your friends that live in your heart. I have never felt more welcomed than we did this afternoon. It was so good to be HOME for just a little while.
When it was time to go Daniel and I went to lunch with two friends of mine from the school. My dear friends Lisa and Ronit, my rock solid support that have been so strong for me, Mom’s of Daniel’s friends. We sat for hours with Daniel and had great conversation and Daniel was everybit a part of it. He has had to grow up quickly and can carry on a conversation with anyone. Actually he can talk so much he can probably carry on a conversation with himself. Anyway, it drilled further home how lonely a year it has been and how ready I am for us to get back to our friends. I may not have wrote a blog that Daniel’s CMV is very close to being gone so this is closer than ever to being a reality. Soon, soon.
We then went to physical therapy that reminded me how terribly uncoordinated Daniel is and how hard he needs to work everyday to get his strength back. My guess is he will be exhausted tonight but nothing is going to bring him down from his feeling of being on cloud nine.
This has been one of our best days in a long time. It reminds me that the comforts of home don’t lie within the four walls which you live but in your friends that live in your heart. I have never felt more welcomed than we did this afternoon. It was so good to be HOME for just a little while.