His Boots Were Made For Walkin'

So my baby is finally, FINALLY, walking and he is everywhere! I'm not even sure how to put into words what it was like to see him take his first steps. I cried when he did it. We were at physical therapy, where his therapist, Gala, had been treating him every week for 6 months. He let go of her hands and stumbled unsteadily forward through his own will. When he toppled over 3 steps later Gala & I both cheered like we had won the lottery and tears started to run down my cheeks. Then, because she's a mom & understood that this was the moment I had lived for since his doctors first told me that he wouldn't walk until at least 2 and could have long term delays, she coaxed him into doing it again so I could video it with my cell phone. Now that he is primarily walking to get around our days at physical therapy are numbered. It's bittersweet because on the one hand this is my everyday miracle and I feel like the weight of the world has lifted itself from my shoulders. But on the other hand it means saying goodbye to Gala, who has held my hand and Grahams through our fears, our uncertainties, and our triumphs. She has worried and celebrated with us and been positive the whole way. How do you thank the person who gave your son freedom? It's probably not adequate, but if you are me you never forget them and you use paper and glue to help them remember that. Being the stalker-razzi mom that I am, I had my camera in hand the 1st time Graham was able to go outside and play by himself. He didn't need any one to carry him or play for him while he watched, and I captured some unforgettable moments of him discovering the world for himself. With a lot of love and some patience I put together a scrapbook page and framed it for Gala. I hope that she will put it in her office and on days that are harder with patients that don't have as encouraging of a prognosis as Graham she can look at it and remember what a difference she makes for those kids and that as the quote beneath Graham's pictures says, "Through Him all things are possible...".