View from the top...

One man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.  You can be looking up or down at something depending on where you stand. And it looks different from both perspectives.

   

Perspective is an ever changing and fascinating concept.  It is not really the same as attitude, but it is related. Perspective is how you see (or hear) something and attitude is what you do with what you see.   I have a very positive attitude, but I still see things through the prism of my life. I generally make the best of what I see because of my attitude, but my view is skewed, just like everybody else.  For example, my first thought of new business might be wheelchair access while others see the paint color, or the window display. It is not positive or negative, it is just seeing things as they fit into our own lives. 

The way we look at something really does change everything. We all get stuck and often defensive of our particular perspective, but sometimes we need to change our perspective to get the full picture. Everyone benefits from an occasional change in perspective. If nothing else, we gain a better understanding and appreciation of our own life.  

I’ve had several opportunities to do that lately and find myself very appreciative of all the things in my life and especially appreciative of Maggie’s abilities.  Yes her abilities, not her disabilities.  Too often, I look at life through Maggie’s limitations. I always make the best of them, but I come at it from a negative perspective.  Lately, for various reasons I find myself  quite amazed and enthralled by all that my daughter has accomplished given her physical limitations. And I have to say, this change in perspective is wonderful.  

This is not to say that there aren’t still difficulties and that her care isn’t taxing and difficult to manage, because it is, and I will likely be back to complaining about that in a day or so, but not today. Today I am proud of my daughter. I am proud of her ability to communicate and tell folks what she wants and thinks. I am proud of her ability to charm people and change their negative first impression to a positive one.  I am envious of her uncanny ability to live in the moment and I am grateful for this run of good health.

Other parents of 18 year old girls are helping their daughters weigh college options and other future opportunities.  There are times that realization makes me incredibly sad because Maggie will get none of that.  Maggie doesn't live in that world. Today is not one of those times.

 Today I see Maggie in  Maggie's World, where she reigns as queen.

And I’m the Queen Mum.