Noah Through Susan’s Eyes

(By Susan Allen)

The following is from one of Noah’s longtime caregivers, Susan Allen. She has been part of our family for years, walking through the laughter, the chaos, and the unforgettable moments that come with life alongside Noah. I asked her the same five questions we have been asking others, and here is her response.

1. What is the funniest “Noah moment” you ever witnessed? (Bonus points if it left you laughing when you probably should not have been.)
One day I took Noah and Kailynn to the Dover Air Museum. Everything was going fine until I realized they did not have a family restroom. So, all three of us had to make do. I got Noah cleaned up and into a fresh pull-up while Kailynn stood outside the stall so I could use it. Suddenly, I hear this loud “HEY, HEY, HEY, HIIIIIII!” Sure enough, Noah had dropped down and was peeking his head under the stall door with the biggest grin on his face. His expression basically said, “I am adorable, and you cannot possibly be mad at me.” Well, sorry Noah, it did not work. I told him to go wash his hands and make good choices. His reply? “Aww, man.” Classic Noah.

2. If Noah had a job title based on how you know him, what would it be?
That is easy. He would either be “The Shredder” or “The Janitor.” He has equal talent for tearing up both paper and clothes, but he also takes pride in cleaning up with a dustpan. I suppose those balance each other out in a very Noah kind of way.

3. What is something Noah did that made you stop and think, “Well, I did not see that coming”?
Pizza. Any situation that involves pizza requires full alert mode. If you let your guard down for even a second, that pizza will disappear. I learned that lesson quickly.

4. If you had to give survival tips to the next teacher, helper, or sitter, what wisdom would you share?
Never underestimate him. Especially around food. He is faster than he looks, and he has zero remorse when it comes to pizza theft.

5. What memory of Noah always makes you smile (or shake your head) when you think of it?
I was watching Noah one evening while he was happily playing with his cars. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a raccoon wandering up to the back door. I thought, “How cute! I will take a picture.” The next thing I know, right as I snap the photo, Noah bolts for the door and tries to let the raccoon in. I shouted “NO!” and pushed the door closed just in time. The upstairs was already waiting for new floors after another one of Noah’s disasters, and I knew a raccoon inside would only add to that list. That is the kind of unpredictability that comes with Noah—you think you are just watching him play cars, and suddenly you are wrestling a raccoon invasion.

Noah keeps us laughing, keeps us guessing, and keeps life interesting. Susan’s stories are just more proof of that.