Isn't she lovely?

Isn't she wonderful?

Isn't she precious?

But isn't she lovely, made from love.

(and thanks to Mirtha, Sophie's helper, who's as precious and lovely, too)

In case you missed it yesterday, here's the Extreme Parenting Video Project:

The Extreme Parenting Video Project

Here it is! Finally, here it is!

I've got nothing to say but thank you. Thank you to those beautiful people who sent me their photos. Thank you for always supporting one another. Thank you for helping me to feel deep gratitude for this path that we share. And thank you to Phil Konya for putting the slides together and adding the music.

Now, please watch and be struck by so many beautiful, soulful eyes -- it's the eyes, here, true windows to the soul.

And please share the video, particularly with those who might have just stepped on the path. Let me know if you have any ideas on whom to send it, where to send it, etc.

Tease

After months and months of dithering around with the photos that you all so graciously sent me for my video project, it's

just


about


ready!

My friend P sent me a rough copy last night, and I sat and wept through the entire thing. Not a bad weeping, but more the kind that gorgeous people with eyes that sear into your soul provoke. I'm not kidding.

I can't wait to show you, but it's not quite ready.

I know. I'm a terrible tease.

Heavenly Day

Reader, remember my project? Well, I'm working on it! I'm thinking about using this song and wonder what you think. Leave a comment -- or suggestions of other music. Go easy, though -- Patty Griffin's version of this song is one of my favorites and, I believe, fits the topic perfectly in nearly every way.

Let me know, and if you missed my "deadline," have no fear. Email me your photo at elsophie AT gmail DOT com.

I will get this done.

I will get this done.

I will get this done!

I was messing around with Instagram on my Android (who knew these words would be understandable in our lexicon?) this afternoon, and my youngest son took the photo -- hopefully, yours will be better, but send them to me as soon as possible. I have a dearth of FATHERS, so please tell those you know about the project -- post about it, put it up on Facebook!

For further instructions, see HERE.

Two Things and Final Call

Federico Fellini directing a film

I've got two things for you this morning:

First, please send me your photos of yourself for my Video Project. Please send them to me as soon as possible as I'd like to put the video together by the middle of next week. Here are the instructions or you can click on the link above:

1. Write down on a piece of white paper or poster-board advice that you would give to yourself, that long ago self, when your child was diagnosed.
2. Have someone take a picture of you holding the poster
3. Email me the picture at elsophie AT gmail DOT com
4. If you want to send more than one, feel free. I'll use them all.
5. Spread the word to your friends. MEN, please participate!
6. I'm setting a goal of finishing this by May 15th, so please help me and send yours in (if you haven't already!) as soon as possible.

Second, have you seen this beautiful video? Set aside your distractions, turn up the volume and be happy:

Last Call

You might have seen this video a while back:




For the last two years I've said here and elsewhere that I'm going to make a video of still photos of YOU, parents of children with special healthcare needs and your wise words to yourself, THE DAY BEFORE YOU KNEW YOUR CHILD'S DIAGNOSIS. These words can be simple, complex, dark, light, positive, negative, funny, serious or everything all at once. I'm going to set the photos to music and hope it'll be helpful to new parents as well as inspiring. I imagine it'll be a healing testament for all of us.

Well, I've got a bunch of photos that make my heart sing and move me to tears, but I need more. Here's what you can do:

1. Write down on a piece of white paper or poster-board advice that you would give to yourself, that long ago self, when your child was diagnosed.
2. Have someone take a picture of you holding the poster
3. Email me the picture at elsophie AT gmail DOT com
4. If you want to send more than one, feel free. I'll use them all.
5. Spread the word to your friends. MEN, please participate!
6. I'm setting a goal of finishing this by May 15th, so please help me and send yours in (if you haven't already!) as soon as possible.

Remember my project?

A while back, I posted this video:



Wonderful, right?

I really want to make a video like it but use still photos of all of you, mothers and fathers of children with special needs, disabilities, etc., holding up signs that say what you wish you had known when your child was diagnosed or when you learned that he or she was disabled (or differently abled). (There's a teeny tiny part of me that wants to make it twisted and black humored, but on second thought, that might be a different video altogether -- one that we could market to insurance companies and government bureaucrats, perhaps?)

Make a sign, take a photo -- it doesn't have to be professional! -- and email it to me at elsophie AT gmail DOT com. Several of you have already done so, and I still have those posters.

Let's do it. I think it would be an amazing collective portrait.