I took Owen to the school bus, and as I was walking home I saw my reflection walking with me. There were three distinct shadows from all the lights hitting me from different angles. I immediately thought about the story of the Three Bears, but Goldilocks was nowhere in sight. I suppose I could be Goldilocks, but nothing seems like the fairy tale. Some days the reality of it all sinks in more than other days. My little boy struggles with so many things; me too. He smiles over at me, I smile back, and he squints his eyes. He starts talking about the post office. “No post office”, he says. “I’m not going to the post office today”, he continues. As soon as I picked him up after school, he started talking about not going to the post office. I thought about the Three Bears story again. Goldilocks wanted everything just right; I wish I could do that for Owen. The post office fills him with such anxiety that I don’t know how to help wash it all away. A different post office was fine, but the post office he loves from the outside, with the amazing textured bricks, continues to cause meltdowns, and discussions months later, after only going one time. His vocabulary is increasing, with that there’s more of a connection to communication, and expressions. I pray every day for insight into how to help him with these connections. He’s come a long way, and the sky’s the limit for my sweet baby O. I tell him every day he is amazing, and he can do anything he wants to do. I’m thankful for his smile, I’m thankful for his words, and I’m thankful that he is growing. I am learning to see the world through Owen’s beautiful mind, and I know that everything will be fine. Autism wasn’t important to me, until autism was important to me. Never give up hope, go after your dreams, and find new ways to soar. Make today matter. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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