What’s your name, I asked Owen, multiple times, multiple ways. He didn’t answer. I started to panic. I asked him one more time, “your name is”. “Ohhh win”, he said. I felt the air return into my lungs. It took him years to answer that question. I’ve always wanted him to be connected with who he is and his name, but he still doesn’t always answer the question. I know he will, but it still catches me off guard when he doesn’t answer it. He’s shown such growth over the last few months I don’t want him to go backward, even though I know that is not what’s happening I still can’t help but get anxious as the moments go by when he won’t answer me. I ask him all the time what his favorite color is. He has never answered this question. I wait for the day he can tell me. I know his favorite food is veggie straws because he wants them all the time, but I don’t know if he understands the concept of something being a favorite choice. I always tell him my favorite color is pink, hoping he makes the association. I want him to know that he doesn’t have to have a favorite color, maybe he has a favorite texture instead. I try not to dwell on the questions he can’t answer or doesn’t answer, but instead rejoice in the progress he has made. We played a board game together. He rolled the dice and moved the pieces, counting the pegs forward. He didn’t scream or get mad, he actually played the abbreviated version with me, going through all the motions I asked of him. I can tell how much he is learning from school and church. His patience level is increasing as well. And his need for input is huge today, as I try to get him to stop rolling his chicken nuggets in his hair first, quickly followed by inserting it into his toes, before it goes in his mouth. Through life’s challenges, I see victory. We all got something. Be thankful for the little things and know that tomorrow is a brand new day. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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