Errol Milner Clifford 2006-2009

Errol Milner Clifford was born with a significant heart defect and a cognitive disability that prevented him from walking or talking. As we grieved the child we had anticipated, Errol’s full-bodied smile and irrepressible laugh turned our sorrow into joy, and taught us that many of the best things in life are unexpected. Inspired by Errol’s delightful spirit, friends, family, and neighbors rallied to support our family’s significant emotional, physical, and financial needs, through countless acts of selfless generosity. When Errol’s courageous heart finally failed him on December 23, 2009 we were left numb with grief. In these dark hours we listen hopefully for the echoes of Errol’s brilliant laugh. This blog is the story (starting from present and working back to Errol's birth) of the life and times of the amazing Errol Clifford.


Friday, September 07, 2007

Flipping Like Pancakes


Most adults’ favorite things are relatively static (we know what we like), but with Errol, since so much is new, his favorite activities are constantly evolving. A few months ago, his favorite thing was his hand (judge not, it’s a pretty nice hand), but now, as his life has turned outward, Errol’s favorite thing is roughhousing. I hold big Errol (15 percentile, booooooy!) on my lap, count, “one, two, three..…” and let his head bounce back onto the bed. He laughs and laughs until we do it again, and again, and again (he’s got no meetings to rush off to, no dishes to do, I’d bounce my head too). But that’s just the start of the fun. Errol’s also starting to do flips (with a little help). With Errol facing up, I hold him by his little thigh and say, “one, two……three” (often the counting is the fun, and doesn’t even have to be accompanied by anything else to get a great big belly laugh), and flip Errol, like a little pancake. He laughs and laughs, until I repeat my counting, “one, two,” pause for his laugh, “three!” and he’s off for another flip. Errol laughs again, and again, and we repeat until I (not Errol) am worn out. Errol’s getting more mobile and physical all the time. We are very happy for the present, and hopeful for the future.

No comments: