Best Summer Ever

His popularity had sky-rocketed over the last school year. His social calendar was overflowing. 

Movies

bonfires on the beach

camp outs

a trip to 6 Flags

sleep-overs

a driver's license....


Yep, Avery was having his "best summer ever".  

It hasn't always been that way. 

.

Besides being geographically isolated, it took him awhile to shed the "goat boy" image

It has plagued him since the switch from a Waldorf home school group to 

the Frankfort Public School system. 

A set of oddball parents didn't help any. 

But a great sense of humor triumphs 

over geography

goats 

and genes. 


Avery discovered this truth at my expense, 

keeping a straight face while scolding him

is nearly impossible. 

It is so wrong

that being manipulated by rib-tickling 

is such a tolerable offense. 




There were too many unanswered questions 

about the type, stage, prognosis and plan

to spoil Avery's  Best Summer Ever. 

So we preserved that and "normal" for as long as possible 

by not telling anyone. 

Could I really make it through a two hour appointment

with one of my dearest clients without spilling the beans? 

I discovered that I could. 

And that the rhythm and creative outlet 

provided by my work in the salon 

and by the farm 

was comforting ground to stand on.  

And I discovered something else. 

That I / we 

did not have to be defined by this.