In A Field

I was in grade 9. That was my hardest year of school. I really struggled with balancing school work and house work....that looks odd to read, but it's true. At any rate I was doing poorly in the subjects I was not as strong in- math and science. I had failed a test, the mark was very low. On top of that, I had to get it signed. Now, let me be clear on this, in our house school was a priority, but not always at the top of the list. And, increasingly for me the house was becoming my priority. I spent the hour long bus ride in the mornings doing homework. So it's not really surprising that I had failed this test. I've never been very brave and I clearly remember sitting in my room on my bed trying to work up the nerve to take the test downstairs to my father. I was imagining all sorts of responses, none of them good. Finally, I decided it was time. I called down and asked him to come upstairs for a moment. I led him into his room and sat on the edge of his bed. I ...

Monday. It was happening so fast, arriving too soon. We woke up hearing Wayne's Dad coughing. We found them both in the living room, Joanne already with her knitting out. Here before we're out of bed, ready to grandparent. Wayne and I loaded their vehicle, put Elias' car seat in, secured him and hit the road. I wasn't nervous. I had even slept well the night before. I drifted off to sleep imagining Jesus' arm wrapped tightly around my shoulders. We arrived early. Found a parking place and went in. The dr's office at the top floor. I was getting nervous now, just from sheer anticipation of what we'd discover. Dr Dooley came to get us at precisely 3 pm. Laptop at the ready we showed him our videos, compiled over the last year or so, displaying this behaviour we've had such a hard time explaining. He watched and asked questions. He watched again. He asked for our concerns, Elias' history from pregnancy to present. I tried to remember hi...