You know you're a Hickey when...

"mom, can you move that henna from the kitchen to your bathroom? All my food taste like henna."

Excerpts from a letter sent to Liam's preschool teacher

The kids started school at a lovely Waldorf school in Akron, Ohio.  It was a beautiful transition from home to schooling.  Their first preschool teacher was the kindest, gentlest, most soft spoken woman you can imagine.  I felt inspired to write her and thank her for those early years.  Here is my letter.

 "I want you to know what a tremendous gift you were to me.  As a young mother with three small children, I felt overwhelmed by Liam’s needs.  He didn’t transition well from one task to another.  He was physical with other kids and had trouble focusing on the task at hand.  I vividly remember your words in a parent-teacher conference the year you had both of my kids in your class.  You said, “Kat, Liam came into the world this way.  He chose you as his mother because you would know what to do.”  That brought me such great comfort.  Thinking that I hadn’t “broken him”, but that I was his champion, his advocate and his guide was so incredibly helpful to me.  It fortified my resolve to help him find the best way to be himself and yet still function in the world around him.  Over the years, he’s found tricks and tools that have helped him become a great student - he’s taking AP US History and AP Literature this year.  He is on the honor roll every year.  He won his school talent show in 5th grade by dancing an improvised dance in front of his entire school.  He’s performed in school plays at the middle school and high school level and has been in several local commercials.  More than that, he is a calm, considerate, thoughtful person.  He is genuinely interested in people and he loves spending time with people of all ages.

What brought me to contact you is a realization I had while watching him do what he is truly passionate about - drumming.  He plays the drum set in many styles, but really loves jazz.  When I watch him play with his jazz combo, I see his attention split in many directions - the bass, the piano, the other instruments.  Keeping time, not letting anyone fall behind or rush ahead, balancing sound so he doesn’t overpower the other musicians.  Adapting in each moment to give the best performance possible.  And then I realize, I didn’t have an ADD child or a distracted child or a troublemaker.  I had a drummer.

Thank you so much for being a solid rock for me in those early years.  I am grateful for the courage you helped me have to let him be who he was to become.

I’m sure it’s no surprise that Maddie is also amazing and pure magic.  She is such an incredible version of the small girl you once knew.  I’ve attached a family photo and two links of the kids performing, if you’d like to see.

Liam playing with his school Jazz Big Band last weekend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_EkdQWv5R0
Maddie playing guitar and singing with a friend, Liam on percussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnBDCLQ3jsY

I hope you and your family are well.  And I hope you know the tremendous blessing you are to so many, just by being you.

In gratitude always,

Kat Hickey"