Wednesday, January 6, 2010

There's no metaphor like a snow metaphor....


I'm snowed in again and starting to feel the frustration at not being able to do everyday tasks like shopping... I know if I could just get to the main road, that there is a remote chance the council have it gritted and I could get into town to restock the cupboards!

As I was lying awake in the small hours, it occurred to me how the situation could be applied to the communication difficulties our children have. We are happy and comfortable in our warm house on the top of the hill. Everything we need is to hand, there is food in the fridge, and some oil in the tank so we are pretty self sufficient. The views are spectacular and apart from a little cabin fever, we are ticking along nicely. However, when the food runs out and the heating isn't working, we are going to find we need to reconnect with the outside world... Herein lies the problem. We know what we need but there is a huge obstacle in the way. Knowing where you need to go, or what you want is one thing, but getting it is another.

Whereas some people are equipped with a 4x4 jeep or snow chains, our children have the equivalent of a Mini with slightly balding tyres so the trip down the snow covered ice impacted hill is a more daunting prospect. Not impossible, but is going to take a lot more planning and a generous dollop of caution. With love and intervention, we throw a bit of sand down so the tyres can take hold and get them moving. A bit more sand, help with the steering and the occasional push and the main road is in sight...

At times we question whether its fair or not to force our kids out of the house and into the snow to get them where they need to go. Jeanie from PlanetOutreach-ASD wrote a thought provoking post on this recently and combined with the comments on the blog, it made for great reading. The general consensus is that while it seems a little unfair at the time, as our kids get older, we want them to reach the gritted road and what lies beyond. Whether they need us to steer the Mini and throw sand under the wheel for as long as it takes, or they manage to get their own 4x4 is fine by us.

15 comments:

Katy said...

love it

Autimom said...

love the blog......you have such a way with words and so true xx

Lisamaree said...

Yay- and you know how much I love a stretchy metaphor.

Snow also levels out the playing field, gives a chance to imagine the difficulties faced by others - and admire how well they seem to take it in their stride.

And one more stretch:

in the midst of all the whingeing and botching going on about infrastructure and salt/grit I was walking behind a yummie mummy with a baby in a buggy and a toddler beside her in Carrickmines this morning. The toddler said something and then I heard yummy mummy agree "yes I love the snow too - it's very pretty"
looking at challenges from anothers perspective can make them seem beautiful!

xx

Jen said...

Thats a lovely way to look at it Petunia, and so true:) Jen

Andra said...

Wonderfully written blog as always hun. xxx

Unknown said...

excellent hun xx

great way of putting it

Popsie said...

brilliant again!, you'v got a talent for this i love the 4x4 and the mini analogy, it is so true!!!!

Clive said...

Couldn't agree more!

Very well said!

Jean said...

fab post doll (and thanks for the mention)...the analogy is genius and really hits home.
Our poor babies have such a tricky journey...may our grit bucket always runneth over (heehee)
XXX

Sesame said...

so well put....

jazzygal said...

Nice one....well said! xx Jazzy

Casdok said...

Like it!

crazy mum said...

i just love ur way with words
xxx

Lora said...

Petunia, Thanks for commenting on our blog. It is so great to network and find new friends not only through fb but also to get to know one another through our blogs. I love your post and the metaphor you used, what a creative way of putting things. I appreciate your perspective.

I look forward to the future and reading all about you, munchkin, and your family. I have had my/our blog since 2005 and have made lifelong friends and perhaps ours shall be the same.

Take Care, Lora and Griffin

G said...

I live in a very similar type of location to you and I am struck by how excellent your analogy is...especially if you take into account how much steeper and longer distances seem to become in snow (Have you ever noticed that effect?).

Except, I am afraid we don't have a mini with balding tyres at all...what we have is the most tail happy car rear wheel drive car ever made...or our own feet, to make it very, VERY slowly...and that is all we ever will have...there will never be any 4x4 for us.

Not all of us have parents or anyone to help us...but when we do, all anyone can do is make sure the tyres or the soles of our shoes are good, and give us a little push to start us off (or perhaps not, on foot? :o) ), and the confidence to GO FOR IT!!

But on the other hand, the most tail happy production car ever made is probably a classic BMW, so, with the support of good tyres and encouragement to have the confidence and faith in ourselves to relax and try and our own ingenuity and determination...

If we DO make it to that main road.

WATCH US GO!!

:o)

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