I often hold both sides of the conversations for Owen, and me. Even when he was a baby I would talk a lot to him. But I never imagined the emotions I would experience having a nonverbal child. I remember when Owen was in daycare, every day I would get a call to come get him, or they would explain to me when I got there to pick him up, that he wasn’t interacting the way he should, or the other kids did something to him because he wouldn’t share; my child wasn’t even two, does any child at two know how to share, I always thought. I didn’t understand what was going on, or why this was happening, but I felt very alone. He wasn’t meeting milestones, he wasn’t talking. I think this is when I starting having our full conversations. I remember one day, as we were heading home, I asked him if he had a good day. I would always fill in the next words “yes mommy”, or “it was fine”, before I could even finish, he yelled, “yes”. Little did I know how precious that word was. It was so random, he never really babbled, and he didn’t say words, but yet he yelled “yes”. Last night, as I was taking him to his church program, he started getting upset about the lights; he doesn’t like sitting through them. I started talking to him about being patient, and how we work through this. I always tell him to count to ten, and then if he is still upset I have him name five of something. We went through his colors, and then I asked him to name five animals. He yelled, “zebra zebra zebra zebra zebra”. It was almost in the exact spot that he yelled “yes” so many years ago. He’s come so far, and every day he’s growing. This is the child they told me probably wouldn’t talk, this is the child that talks. He has taught me to never give up, and look for the hope in every situation. This morning walking to the bus stop, he said, “I wuv ewe”, as he walked backwards, turning himself into me. Find hope, live for the glory, and love the most. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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