Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Apr 21, 2015

spontaneous

Pronunciation: /spɒnˈteɪnɪəs/

English:
adjective

1.Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse or inclination and without premeditation

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Not something I am very good at. I like to plan my day and know what’s ahead. I like lists, notes and dates on the calendar. I feel like I’m more in control. I am one of those people that carries a day planner. I like things to fit in a box. I’m one of those people.

Katie could care less about a box unless she can climb in it. God wants us to be happy creatures as we go through our day. That can be a difficult task for someone like me raising someone like Katie.

You would think after 7 years, a couple brain surgeries and dozens of tests and hospital stays, I would be better adjusted. Be flexible. Adapt in order to survive. Change in order to be happy.

Katie makes me sing to her in the grocery store and march in the rain. She dances in the isles during the Sunday sermon and shouts in the school hallways just to hear if her voice echoes. She locks herself in the bathroom when I want her to go and she opens the stall door on me when I’m trying to go. She does both while laughing at me.

Over the break I took the kids to the bank to open Nathan a savings account. While waiting she danced in circles singing Ring around the Rosie and pushed the water fountain 347 times. After finally getting her to sit down in the lobby she leaned over and rasberried my arm making a loud farting sound. The highlight was probably when I left the kids for 2 seconds to throw away thrash about ten feet away and Katie managed to drop her pants. She wants to be sure she makes a lasting impression I guess.

Her latest talent is removing her shirt. First off, I am very proud of her new skill. However, I see the potential of this becoming problematic. She took off her shirt yesterday about 5 times. I found her in her room topless wearing a beaded necklace. I thought I had a few more years before this would come up.

During church this past Sunday we had a more modern service with some freestyle rap music and Katie held her own revival. She danced, clapped and headed up to the stage with me running after. She hugged the band like a groupie. She will sit quietly for the most part during the service but when the music starts she gets moved by the spirit.

She is a beam of light. I must choose to break free from my plans and schedule. Break free from my box. Chose to walk in her joy.

We have been on the road all day. We just crossed the border into Baltimore. Tomorrow is our consult. I was able to figure out how to load her records onto a USB. I was actually impressed with myself 😉