Mom Fail — Dawn Schneider

It’s Cory’s favorite night of the year. He talks about it all year long. It’s the one night when all of his friends are together in one place. Friends from Best Buddies and Special Olympics, Bible study, Miracle League, former classmates, everyone! It’s Night to Shine – a prom for people with special needs 16 years and older put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation. It happens all over the world on the same night. There are currently three happening around town. It starts with fun pre-prom activities like hair, makeup and nails for the girls and shoe shines for the guys. There’s karaoke to sing or watch while they wait for their limo ride. Everyone gets a crown. Cory attends at a church. The limo takes them from the church to the community center across the street. The participants exit the limo to a red carpet complete with volunteers acting like paparazzi cheering for the prom kings and queens. Once they’re in the venue but before they enter the ballroom, they line up to be announced by local celebrities. “…and now, announcing King Cory escorted by [his buddy for the evening].” In the ballroom they are served dinner and get to dance. Tim Tebow joins via video and tells them all how precious and special they are and that they are princes and princesses of the One True King. Everyone cheers and they get back to dancing. You can see why this is Cory’s favorite night of the year. It’s filled with everything he loves most – friends, music and dancing. This magical night is this Friday and we have one very excited guy on our hands. We have been talking for weeks about which friends he’ll get to see there, what he’ll be wearing (of course it’ll be his purple dress shirt with his black suit - but which purple tie?) and what they will serve for dinner.

Last year it is about a week before the big night. Sometime around 3am I shoot straight up in bed and think, “I haven’t received a phone call about Night to Shine. I better make sure Cory’s on the list (it fills up fast and there is usually a long wait list). I reach out to the lead coordinator first thing the next morning and my worst fears are realized. Cory is not on the list. She kindly informs me there is an extensive wait list and there is no way they can get him in. I check the other venues and they are in the same situation. Cory will not be going to Night to Shine. My heart sinks. I feel physically ill. I cry for a whole day. Every time I think about it (and having to tell him) I tear up. How could this have happened? I must have gotten distracted mid-registration and it never completed.

Ok, I need to come up with a plan. I reach out to the other moms I know of special needs kiddos to see if anyone else’s child won’t be going. We could have our own dance party in Cory’s new man cave. We can string lights and get a mirror ball, serve a nice dinner complete with the requisite cupcakes. The emails started coming back. Everyone’s child is going. We are the only ones. More tears. What else is there that is super special for Cory that might work? I know. The Mall of America! We’ll take the day off from work and go to Minneapolis for the day. He can ride rides and we’ll come home late that night. I can sell that! A glimmer of hope.

Cory still loves Barney the Dinosaur. He watches it on YouTube whenever he gets a chance. In one of his favorite episodes a newer character named Riff (BJ’s cousin, I think) makes a big mistake so of course they sing about it. The lyric is “oh, oh oh what a big mistake.” Cory gets in the car after work. I have to tell him when we’re both in the car so he can’t see my tears. I say, “Cory, remember the Barney song ‘What a big mistake?’ Well I made a big mistake.” Cory responds, “What do you mean, Mom?” I answer, “I didn’t get you registered for Night to Shine.” Cory: “So I can’t go?” Me “Correct. I’m so sorry buddy. But I have an idea. Do you know what it means to play hooky?” Cory, “No. What does that mean?” Me, “Well, we both take the day off of our jobs and go do something fun. I thought we could drive to Minnesota and go to the Mall of America for the day.” Cory sits there for a minute and then says, “I would rather go to Night to Shine.” More tears roll down my face. “I know buddy but I didn’t get you registered so you can’t go.” Cory, “It was canceled?” Me, “No, it’s still happening but you don’t get to go.” Cory, “Oh okay.” That’s it. He’s not mad. He doesn’t even appear to be sad. I jump right to, “So, what ride do you think you want to ride first?” Cory responds enthusiastically with “the Pepsi Orange Streak roller coaster!” I fire back with and what about lunch? Cory, “Johnny Rockets!” and we talk about our planned trip. Once again, Cory shows me a little glimpse of heaven. He receives the news without an ounce of disappointment, anger or frustration. This kid reflects yet another facet of how God loves and is forever full of grace.

Epilogue (can I do that in a blog?) – The trip to Minnesota was not all sunshine and roses. Once we cross the state line, the roads turn into glazed ice. About an hour into the state (what seems like only 10 miles) I call Mike nearly in tears. (I’m not a wimp about winter driving. I grew up in Minnesota and have driven back and forth through a lot of bad weather but this was BAD!) “The roads are terrible. I can’t imagine turning back and doing them again but at the rate we’re going it is going to take several more hours to get to the mall!” Mike talks me off the ledge so I can press on. Although we’ve brought nothing to spend the night, I decide to stay at my brother’s and brave the roads home the next day. We once again try to make it an adventure and go jammie and tooth brush shopping while at the mall. Oh and the Pepsi Orange Streak roller coaster is closed. Without any hesitation, we walk right over to the Avatar Air Bender and get in line. Cory has fun and is an awesome sport. He is no end of blessings and we do not, for one minute, take that for granted.

As I mentioned earlier, this Friday is Night to Shine. Way back during the summer I make sure to get the sign up date on my calendar the minute it is announced. Once registration opens, I pounce. When Cory receives his golden ticket to get in, it has 15 printed on it – I’m guessing that indicates I am the 15th person to register – not going to miss it this year! If you follow me on Facebook, I promise to post pictures!