Most of you know my son Tristan (MRDD and Autistic) and how much he loves helping out and machinery. Karen and I got to thinking that one of the old reel mowers might be just the thing. He already had his own electric leaf blower and so what if it wasn't the world's most powerful, he had a great time for hours on end blowing leaves. So the manual mower seemed a good idea..............and it was!
Tris didn't care for a moment that it had no engine......He could cut the grass! We live in an old village in rural Ohio where most lots are small and houses largish and close together so with only a minimum of instruction he was off and running......almost literally. Dad had to slowly explain the safety rules again. A touch up by someone else was all that was required the past few years as he kept the yard prettty neat all by himself. The front yard was better than most years! But I have an even better story!
After the first summer with his mower, winter came to Ohio bringing many days of ice and snow and no real grass to cut. One icy and snowy day, school had been cancelled as a layer of ice covered most roads. Tris went out for awhile and decided rightly more clothes were needed and he went off to add some bulk. That was the last I saw of him for quite awhile figuring he was waiting for one of his street department buddies to come by with the small plow and cinders so he could wave and say hi to him.
After some time I asked Karen where Tris was and she, like me, had no idea except "outside"...........yeah, I know......Great parents huh? I went to the front door and looked out to find Tristan "mowing the street." Yep....There he was going up and down the old brick street with his mower. Guess what. The damn thing breaks up ice really well! He had covered a swath about 12 feet wide and 75 or so feet long in front of our house and our neighbors and when the plow came past, the loosened and broken ice came right up leaving only bare bricks. Damndest thing I ever saw. I admit that when I first saw him mowing the street I called Karen and we both had one of those warm chuckles that parents of special kids get every now and then. But it became a full out belly laugh when we realized his efforts had actually worked!
Ya' know at times they are a heartbreak and sadness but let me tell you, if you don't have a special needs kid you need to go out and get yourself one. However your life is now, it'll get better.