Happy It Happened

Eighteen years ago, one of my friends, Christie, and I overlapped pregnancies. We worked together at a special education school, and we left our jobs at the same time to stay home with our babies. I had my baby boy in December, and Christie had her baby girl in June. Now our babies are seniors at the same high school. 

When she was in kindergarten, Christie’s daughter, Brianna, was diagnosed with autism. Now, as a senior, Brianna loves telling everyone that she’s a senior, and that she is going to graduate in the class of 2025. Brianna was cast as Moana in our school’s Unified Theatre (special education) production of Moana Jr this year. 

Brianna, Nicky, and Jesus after their final Moana performance

After the musical ran its course, Christie asked Brianna if she was sad it was over, and Brianna said, “No, Mom! I’m happy for Moana!” So Christie decided that, instead of focusing on all of the “lasts” that come with having a senior, she would think of all of these final experiences for Brianna as “happy it happened” moments. I love this idea, and every day we get closer to graduation means we are having more “happy it happened” experiences. 

Just a few minutes ago, Nicky was telling me how last night he was laying on the trampoline with some friends, and he started realizing, “This might be the last time we do this!” He’s beginning to feel the winds of change looming. Tonight he went to a restaurant with two friends and thought, “This might be the last time we do this!” So I told him about Christie and Brianna and being “happy it happened.” I encouraged him to not worry about whether it’s the last time, and just be happy it happened. He liked that idea (which is so rewarding as a mother because this kid does not like any of my advice). 

Here are a few “happy it happened” moments from this week:

We went to see Jersey Boys. Nicky saw it at Tuacahn back in the fall and fell in love, so when I saw that it was playing at The Ruth, I bought tickets for Nicky, Daisy, Scotty, and me.

Our show ended up getting canceled, so they re-booked us a month out and gave us four comp tickets to use toward another show. We ended up using our free tickets for another viewing of Jersey Boys and went with… none other than… Christie! 

We’re glad we got to take Nicky to see one of his favorite musicals before he leaves on his mission. It might not be a “last,” but Nicky isn’t as available to us as he used to be, so we have very rare moments of spending time with him. We’re happy it happened!

In addition to Unified Theatre, Nicky was also involved in Unified Sports as a “partner.” Partners are general ed students that assist the special education students. Nicky has participated in soccer and basketball, and this week they had their Unified track meet.

Since Nicky is in a boot, he was entered in the wheelchair/walker 100m. I thought he was going to be assisting another student, but he was actually signed up to compete as an athlete in the race. Some of the buses from other schools ran late, so when it was time for Nicky’s heat, it was just him and a student in a wheelchair. Nicky held back to make sure the other student crossed the finish line first - that is the spirit of Unified.

Nicky with Evie after she ran away from her coach and needed to be taken back

Nicky getting hugs from Kevin and Jesus

Christie and me with our juice

This was the last track meet for Brianna and Nicky, and we’re happy it happened!

Finally, Nicky had senior night for tennis. 

Tennis… sigh… this is a hard one. Nicky looked forward to tennis season all year. He was team Captain. Then he hurt his leg and had to sit out the rest of the season. It was pretty devastating. He continued going to every practice and match to support his team. He was recognized at senior night with the other graduates. He has a banner hanging on the tennis court. It has been sad not having him play. I have missed watching him. 

But we’re “happy it happened.” Not the leg injury, of course, but all of the good things aside from it.