The Acts of Life

I missed my introduction!

Let’s begin with the acts of life as part of this way for you to get to know me. 

 

You may find that your life has come along a similar path. Your head may begin to nod and bob along the story you read here today. 

 

My first act came at a time when I thought I knew what I was doing. Being young and doing my own thing as I weaved my way through the beginning years of life. 

 

This is where I learned from friends, perhaps listened to a few in my family and then flew like the wind to my own way in the world. 

 

I did not know about other acts that were impacting lives at that time. How could I? 

 

That was coming quickly and yet was out of my view for a while longer. 

 

The second act of life that came next was when I met Brandon. He was walking fun and was holding the world of possibility in his hands. 

 

We gained trust and love then created pixie dust to find that life was ready for our exploration. 

 

Our son came along in this act and then the game was on!

I learned about the other acts of life.

This is where I learned about the acts of life that only come with a deeper peek into a world only some get to have. 

 

Here is what I then learned. 

 

Not only did I get to have knowledge about sudden changes, illness and disability but I also found that these Acts had been in place to support people with disabilities.

 

The Rehabilitation Act was in place to ensure equal opportunities and prohibit discrimination based on disability. 

This laid the groundwork for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

 

This ADA says that a disability in no way decreases a person’s full right to fully participate in all parts of society. 

 

There is one more of these acts of life that had a great impact on this part of my life. 

 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) came along, as well. The big takeaway from the IDEA is that all kids are able to go to school. 

 

Learning about them all came at various times and places. 

I even picked up this cool blue jacket to pull on when meetings were happening. 

You gotta have a new outfit when going into new spaces. 

 

Are there other acts that I learned about in the second part of my life alongside Brandon and Dallin? 

Yes, of course. 

These three acts of life were the main ones.

Yet these three acts of life are the main ones that brought a rhythm to our world.

They helped me understand where I needed to do a few more things. 

 

I learned more about all the stuff and big words to make it so I could understand what was being said. A group of us then started to talk so we were able to do what we needed. 

 

We acted after we learned in ways that were doable for all of us. 

 

What a concept. 

 

Have you done this? 

Learned then did something about it? 

 

This rhythm became second nature to me as it flowed over what Dallin needed every day in one way or another to access services from an agency or the education system. 

 

Then my third act came. 

Somehow even when I knew it was coming, I was ill prepared. 

Dallin was why I had learned about all these things and then he was no longer with us. 

 

What was I to do with the information that had pooled around me like a calm bay of warm water? 

 

Could I still access it for others? 

 

My friends, the truth is one you may know. 

I thought I could pass off the folders in my filing cabinet and wish others luck. 

 

Then I realized that I had not been given opportunities to learn, grow and step into spaces for one period of time only. 

 

The relationships were now friendships. 

Information about Acts was imprinted into my mind. 

 

The quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes says: 

A mind, once stretched by a new idea, can never regain its original dimensions. 

 

My mind was stretched, and I have decided to continue. 

Continue without our beloved Dallin while doing what we learned right with him and his amazing, joyful and curious being. 

 

The acts of life have been important. 

Let’s keep going with this 3rd act.