It’s easy to feel discouraged as an autism parent around this
time of year. Let’s face it, taking our
kid’s to other homes with different food, different schedules, and different people
around, doesn’t exactly lend itself to an easy holiday when autism is
involved. While others are enjoying
relaxing vacations, our son being out of school often looks a bit like a
circus. Just in the last 15 minutes, my
son has pulled his mattress out into the hallway, pulled all the wet clothes
out of the washer on to the dirty floor, taken off his pants (still can’t find
them) and slammed every cabinet in the kitchen.
Full days without school are challenging to say the least. But this year, I am refusing to let it
overwhelm me. There is so much to be
thankful for and not only that, there is even so much about AUTISM to be
thankful for. So, I decided to make a list
of all things AUTISM that I am thankful for.
1.
I am thankful for all the giggles Jacob gives
our family when he does things my other kids don’t have the guts to do. For instance,
when I sing sweet nighttime songs to them, he walks up to me and pinches my
lips shut really tight and tells me to STOP.
Everyone laughs. I’ve never been
a good singer.
2.
I am thankful for Jacob’s unique and silly
personality.
3.
I am thankful for how Jacob is so ultimately
snuggly.
4.
I am thankful that autism has opened our family’s
eyes to the world of disability. It has
made us more sensitive to others' needs.
5.
I am thankful that autism has challenged us to
work together as a family to come up with ways to help Jacob and meet his
needs. When one is on cleaning duty the
other is watching Jacob. When someone is
bringing in groceries another person is guarding the front door. When Cret and I are outside with Jacob, we
stand at opposite ends of the street to keep him from running. While those sound like chores, they actually
are pretty sweet. We all have this
responsibility to keep Jacob safe and it brings us very close to one
another.
6.
I am thankful when our family comes together as
a team to help raise money or awareness.
Each of the kids in the family, even extended family, wants to find cool
ways to help. It’s a special and unique
bond. Also, it led to Taylor Swift helping our family get an amazing service dog. That was pretty unbelievable. We can't wait to meet our new furry friend.
7.
I am thankful when I see my kids explain autism
to others. It’s pretty cool to witness a
young child trying to teach inclusion and compassion.
8.
I am thankful for the challenges that my husband
and I have had to face together. It has
brought us closer to each other and closer to the Lord.
9.
I am thankful for the times that I just couldn’t
do it on my own. The times I felt
broken. It made me see very clearly how completely
desperate I am for the Lord.
10.
I am thankful for the friends and family that
have helped us and shown us love in unimaginable ways.
11.
I am thankful that I have a better appreciation
for the small things, like new words, eye contact, pointing, brushing teeth,
drinking from a cup, sitting in a chair for a whole meal…things I most
certainly took for granted before.
My life is better with Jacob and AUTISM. That doesn’t mean I don’t have hope for him,
it just means I sure feel blessed right now.
Sometimes I just need to remember to choose joy and thankfulness.
Thank you, Jesus, for this life.
