By Leslie Lindsay  (image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/5222187096/)

Welcome to the last “Apraxia Monday” for the 2012 calendar year.  I hope it’s been a good one…

As I was baking bread earlier today, this song by John Lennon was playing.  It’s twang and rhyme was a bit lolling and I found myself caught in an insightful moment.  “The near and the dear one…the old and the young…and what have you done?”  Chances are, if you are a parent of a child with CAS, then you have done a lot for your dear young one.  As you take a moment to reflect back on your child and his progress throughout the past year, what comes to mind? 

• The first time she got on the bus, turning to you to smile and wave one last time before the bus drove off?
• A break-through sound/word/phrase?  One year, for us it was the ST-blend.  What a fun accomplishment!
• When she recited her poem in language arts without a blip–gestures and props a plus.
• When he could finally request that he wanted Buzz Lightyear and not just point to him high on the shelf.
• Instead of just panting like a dog to show her excitement at the new puppy, she actually said, ‘puppy.’ 
• When your SLP told you that she and your child had a “wonderful session.” 
• When his teacher mentioned that your son is the best circle time leader.
• When she told you she loved you for the very first time.

While I know your apraxia journey is on-going, I wish you all the best along the way.  For now, the war is over.  Let the magic of Christmas begin.  Happy Holidays and all the best in 2013! 

Oh, and here are those lyrics! 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS/THE WAR IS OVER (John Lennon)
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas   
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let’s stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now…(source: http://www.lyrics007.com/John%20Lennon%20Lyrics/Happy%20Christmas%20(War%20Is%20Over)%20Lyrics.html)

(image of John Lennon from http://videokeman.com/john-lennon/imagine-john-lennon/)