Fringe Festival

 

We bought this top a couple of weeks ago, when we were in the States, from Justice, a store that specializes in clothing for girls. We took it this weekend with us up to Ottawa, along with a few other things for the kids. We wanted them to have some fun summer clothes and, of course, we get to shop. Sadie fell in love with this top, she looks spectacular in green, and wore it happily through the day. She's beginning to notice clothing and be particular about what she wears. It's fun seeing her style sense come out - quite different from Ruby's tastes - and establish her own clear likes and dislikes.

This trip to Ottawa was quite different for us because we were able to take my power chair for the very first time. It completely liberated me to travel farther distances, to go places that I had just never gone. I also became a kind of bus for the girls. Ruby likes to stand on the back of the chair, Sadie is still to small for that, so she prefers to ride up front. It's a great way of getting kids from place to place with a reasonable amount of speed.

On Saturday we went to Metro down near the market. Mike had taken Sadie in the car, and Ruby was riding with us. I'd never been in that Metro, usually staying in the car while Joe runs in. This time, I motored along from the hotel, with kid on back, and with Joe at my side. We got to the store and saw, by noticing the van in the parking lot, that Sadie and her dad were already there. Up the ramp and in, we found them. Sadie was getting tired so she put her arms up to be carried. Ruby was in 'I'm shopping' mode and was walking with Joe.

Near the peanut butter I noticed Sadie looking down but didn't know what she was looking at. She then told me that she wanted down. I let her gently to the floor. She stood there still looking down. Then. with head bent, she began to shake herself backwards and forwards, from side to side, she convulsed, she gyrated,  she shook. It was quite startling at first. A small group of shoppers stopped, watching her with curiosity. What was this kid doing? Whatever it was, it was cute. Then, in a single moment, we all realized that she was watching the tassels swing. Her movements were solely aimed at creating ripples in the fringe.

Suddenly she stopped.

Threw her head back.

Laughed.

I laughed too, probably making the bag on the back of my chair sway, and so did everyone else. Sadie didn't notice. She was still intent on watching the fringe sway. For the next five or six minutes she walked along side of me, taking huge steps to the left and then right, while watching the fringe sway. She, as she has been taught to do with me, had her hand on the arm of the wheelchair, and let me lead her - her eyes used for watching the motion on her top.

I took the responsibility to drive carefully and to watch for obstacles. I was lucky because the aisles were wide enough, just barely wide enough for us to make our way safely. That hand on my wheelchair. That head looking down. Was Sadie's way of saying 'I trust in my safety when I am with you.'

I take that seriously.

She feels safe in my care.

I hope that all do.