Year-End Review Poem

‘Twas the night before New Years, and all through our minds

We reflected on the past, the year left behind.

Many follow our blog, videos, Facebook too

So replacing our newsletter, a year-review poem for you.

 

Zachary grew up, his development abound

Anat Baniel Method in Arizona, a new therapy we found.

A week we stayed for an intensive session

The therapist taught him unique movement lessons.

 

Renee turned thirty, a surprise party she got;

And an early party for Nathan, in Illinois for the plot. 

A bachelorette party in Vegas, Renee did partake

While daddy and Zaky had guy-time for a break.

 

In the course of a year, Zak accomplished a ton

Sitting, an iPad, numbers, and pre-school begun.

Botox and phenol twice injected in him,

A therapeutic method, relaxing muscles within.

 

Vacation we took in the warm month of June

Rocky Mountain National Park, wilderness a-strewn.

Hiking, relaxing, time with Nathan’s family spent,

A welcome escape, a wonderful event.

 

In July we were called out to Washington, D.C.

To testify in front of the FDA Advisory Committee,

Our experience with Zak and his seizure medication,

How it helped to force his seizures cessation.

 

And then on to San Francisco we did travel

To participate in a pharmaceutical parent panel.

We weighed in with others on the drug’s success

And how to raise Infantile Spasms awareness.

 

Work for Nathan, was awesome beyond,

Traveling across the U.S., and even Taiwan.

Supervising Producer, his title at the company,

Increased to include Director of Development for TV.

 

Shows he produces, and better yet creates,

Finding talent, ideas, pitching to networks, what fate.

With Exceptional Family, nationally published is routine,

Writing monthly columns for Exceptional Parent magazine!

 

And Renee, she works hard, caring for Zak at home,

Dishes, laundry, therapy, meals all without groan.

Massage work done on extreme part-time basis

With all her to-do, it sure shows her greatness.

 

In the middle of December surgery Renee had

To clear out girl stuff in her abdomen, very bad.

Recovery was rough, but for Christmas she made it

Hand making gifts and treats, my help she forbade it.

 

Now the new year approaches, oh what is in store?

Adventure, fun, a new baby … or more?

Renee and Nathan plan a book, maybe, to write

From blog posts and stories going back to Zak’s first night.

 

Poor Zak is in store for a surgery of the hips

To correct bones’ misshapen from his high tone’s firm grip.

One thing is sure, this Zak he is strong

Recovery will be fast, it won’t take him long.

 

A cast for six weeks from his chest to his toes

Uncomfortable, yes, maybe worse we suppose.

Although there are many realms of possibility

Improvements it shall make to his range of mobility.

 

For you friends and family, we wish you the best

In this year that is coming, may you truly be blest.

Now this poem is ending, we must simply deploy

This wish to you, friends and family, hope, peace ‘n joy.

 

You are near and dear to us, you are loved by us all

We wish you Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, we call.

May this year of our Lord, this twenty-eleven,

Treat you with kindness with wealth abounding in heaven!

 

Love,

Nathan, Renee & Zachary Charlan

Charlan Christmas 2010