SPECIAL NEEDS
SPECIAL JOY

His face is a blur, body bobbing up and down at lightning speed, shoulders rising slightly and pulling his muscular torso forward with each hop, willing his body higher. Surely his feet are attached to motorized slinkys. As the credits roll, the “juddering” drum phrase is center stage in Hans Zimmer’s Dune score, layered with a cacophony of otherworldly voices, war horns and repetitive musical motifs. Jonathan is transfixed. All in.

Jonathan and I round the curve on Skyline Drive. There, high atop the Shenandoah Valley, through branches once clothed in verdant luxury, light like liquid gold pours, so that shafts suspend themselves in every open space like so much glitter thrown to the wind. Trunks ordinarily gray seem lit from within. They shimmer silver, their rough bark edges gilded in transcendent, gleaming glory, a benediction on our impromptu trip.

Jonathan’s face lights up as soon as we pull into the driveway. During our bedtime routine, he actually laughs out loud. He knows he’s home! What I long for, Jonathan doesn’t tell, he shows. Shows and experiences wholly. Completely, on the deepest level. Here he is loved.

As the pandemic drags on and temperatures soar, my quest intensifies to find new shady hikes and country roads to explore. The rolling hills of northern Virginia are full of them.

Happy Jonathan, happy day! Jonathan watches contentedly from our front deck as Nick, Matthew and I envision, plant and transplant in my flower garden. Springtime, birthday delight! And then – enough! Grinning rakishly, Jonathan creeps over the deck railing to join the action. And what a time he has. Crowing a delighted “Eeee!” Jonathan revels in the rough texture of shredded pine bark against wiggling toes and wriggling fingers, mulch rubbed onto the driveway, tossed skyward to drift back down. Glorious freedom. Glorious sunshine. The picture says it all.