It really is amazing. Those days, weeks or months where you just feel like you are in a terrible slump.... and then something beautiful happens to open your eyes to life's idiosyncracies to make you remember why it is you do what you do and what you do it for.
That happened today to me. I was rushing Timothy out the door to his marathon IBI session after school and his hat's brim poked me in the eye. It didn't hurt, but reflex made me remark "ouch". He stopped and his eyes opened wide with concern. "Oh no, Mommy ok?" he asked as he brushed his fingers across my forehead over and over, searching my eyes for reassurance.
He felt remorse. Concern. Worry for someone else. My Timothy. This was the first time I have seen him show real, valid concern for me. Despite the hundreds, perhaps thousands of times he has struck, kicked, scratched or head butted me without batting an eye; he felt remorse this time. I wasn't sure if he felt....what he felt. This moment meant more to me than words can say. It is everything. It proves his mind is as beautiful as I always thought it was. It proves that even though the days are hard and sometimes I feel like giving up, I was meant for this, to be his mother.
The details aren't important. What's important is that he reached out through the invisible force field of autism and touched me. You see, sometimes I forget that he is a person and see him more as autism. Its not right and I don't want you to think I condone it. But if I am going to be honest here as I swore I would be from the beginning, then there it is. Sometimes I allow my mind to drift to the what ifs, whys and maybes....but really those don't help anyone, least of all Timothy.
Who cares why he is the way he is? Is it my fault?
What matters is now. And who I'm doing it for is Timothy.
You are such a beautiful person. Not just because of the inner strength you possess (that is required either inherently or to be quickly learned when caring for an autistic of any age). But because you're honest about it. Hell yeah, it's difficult and sometimes I bet you want to throw a tantrum right back in response, but even if everyone else can't (or won't) see the intelligence, and beauty in Timothy, you do. My mother recently passed away, very suddenly and very unexpectedly. My brother, who is 22, has always had social issues. Although undiagnosed specifically, he resembles someone who is high functioning autistic. Before my mom passed, she didn't really teach him all the real world skills he will need to know to be independent. I'm terrified for him. I'm terrified that he will be unwilling to learn, that he will stay stagnant, but most of all I'm terrified for his happiness. Because kids and people can be cruel when they see something or someone that is different from them. My brother may be different but he is the purest, kindest, most intelligent, brilliant and bravest person I know. I really, sincerely hope the world gets to glimpse the light that radiates from within him, and I wish the same for you and Timothy. Thank you for helping me feel grateful today. I needed help from you, and didn't even know it, or know of you until a post appeared in my FB feed. I wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a beautiful person. Not just because of the inner strength you possess (that is required either inherently or to be quickly learned when caring for an autistic of any age). But because you're honest about it. Hell yeah, it's difficult and sometimes I bet you want to throw a tantrum right back in response, but even if everyone else can't (or won't) see the intelligence, and beauty in Timothy, you do. My mother recently passed away, very suddenly and very unexpectedly. My brother, who is 22, has always had social issues. Although undiagnosed specifically, he resembles someone who is high functioning autistic. Before my mom passed, she didn't really teach him all the real world skills he will need to know to be independent. I'm terrified for him. I'm terrified that he will be unwilling to learn, that he will stay stagnant, but most of all I'm terrified for his happiness. Because kids and people can be cruel when they see something or someone that is different from them. My brother may be different but he is the purest, kindest, most intelligent, brilliant and bravest person I know. I really, sincerely hope the world gets to glimpse the light that radiates from within him, and I wish the same for you and Timothy. Thank you for helping me feel grateful today. I needed help from you, and didn't even know it, or know of you until a post appeared in my FB feed. I wish you the best.
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