Kathan Pierce
And then there was Today...
And then there was Today...

And then there was Today...

Last night I cried. And cried. And cried some more.

I cried because Graham wants to play like other little kids

I cried because I don't know if either of my boys will ever have a real friend

I cried because I'm not sure if the boys will ever know a lover’s sweet kiss

I cried because I am unsure if my boys will ever speak

I cried because I don't want to make decisions about medications vs side effects

I cried because I don't want to use words like attorneys and special needs planning

I cried because I’ll never know how much will be enough to care for these boys when we’re no longer here (x2)

I cried because I lost part of my identity when I stopped working

I cried because Graham covered his ears and cried at a party but stared sadly at the other kids wanting to play

I cried because Reid chews on everything in sight

I cried because I'm not the same person I used to be

I cried because I miss my Dad and wish he were here with us

I cried because I won't be able to protect my boys from everything and everyone

I cried because someday I won't be able to be there for them

…Last night I cried until there were no tears left to cry

But today I smiled

I smiled because it was a beautiful day

I smiled because I can see the look on Graham's clever face when he's found his hidden iPad

I smiled listening to my dog snoring peacefully under the covers curled up behind my knees

I smiled as I watched Reid suck his thumb contentedly

I smiled when Graham asked for "I want tickle shoulders" with his talker for the thousandth time

I smiled when Reid pointed out all of the animals he has learned in the book we were reading

I smiled when Graham wanted to help me clean the dishes

I smiled when my boys were chasing one another and giggling to the point of hysterics

I smiled when I thought Reid couldn't possibly eat more of my meatballs ...but then signed for more

I smiled when my husband took the boys so I could sleep in

I smiled when a woman at the store told me I looked beautiful and asked when my baby was due

I smiled thinking about our upcoming family vacations

I smiled when my husband hugged me and I breathed in his familiar scent

I smiled because my boys look me right in the eye and I can see how much they love me

I smiled because we have an amazing support system across family, friends, therapists and our community.

I smiled because I lived to see another glorious day on this earth

I smiled because we are all healthy

…Today I smiled

Hello 2017!!

Hello 2017!!

Wow 2016. You made it reeeeeealllllly hard to like you. Like real hard. You took a cue from the end of 2015 when we received Graham’s Fragile X diagnosis and you kept the hits on coming. We were only 4 days in, just getting to know you, and you delivered the hardest news we’ve ever gotten: Reid had also tested positive for Fragile X. .

1st Annual Bocce Tournament

Our Village Continues to Grow! Love and support were in the air on July 31st when the Medford Boat Club hosted its 1st Annual Bocce Tournament donating every dollar raised to The Pierce Family Fragile X Foundation. The event was attended by nearly 100 people including Mayor of Medford, Stephanie Muccini Burke, Pastor of St. Raphael's Parish, Fr. Paul Coughlin, former principal of St. Raphael School, Sister Maureen Doherty and many others. We raised over $6,000 at this event. We are so thrilled with the results and are forever grateful by the generosity of the Medford Boat Club, its members and the community we are happy to call home. Thank you to all who made this tremendous day a success!

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills are something Graham and Reid will need to continuously work on throughout their lives but we celebrate progress with Reid as he begins to understand upon prompt to stack the rings. What seems easy took months of practice. See a short clip.

Fine motor skills are something Graham and Reid will need to continuously work on throughout their lives but we celebrate progress with Reid as he begins to understand upon prompt to stack the rings. What seems easy took months of practice.