For Anna

For Anna

You ask me for  a couple of sentences  about loving someone with autism.. I don't know if I can give you a tangible answer, because there is so many levels of love there. 

You know that most people are touchable...hugs, kisses, high fives. An Autistic child doesn't want that contact. So you continue to try and connect with them. But you know sometimes, I think that for them, they are sorry they can't give you what you want. I had a young man in class who had other disabilities as well as autism and he was nonverbal. He was my boy. I would try and hug him and he would shy away.  We would sit on the sofa and watch our movie. Sometimes he would actually cuddle up. He was about my height and standing close to him sometimes he would lean in for a kiss I think. I was never really sure. But I loved him on his terms.He is just one of many that I was blessed to help.

Each person doesn't fit the Autism Mold. IF they did we would have lots of little Rainmen running around. Also, we would have more of an idea of what they need. This is even more evident in the nonverbal child. He will find a way to communicate if you listen. His language takes lots of trial and errors on your part. You know Noah is like that. He does a lot of snapping his fingers. 

I digress. It is almost like when the child is born he gets to visit the big Autism Store. All the symptoms are on the shelf. And they get to choose which ones they want. Or maybe, they don't get to choose, but they are given them randomly.  

I know I have rambled here trying to answer this. I can answer this...

People will tell me it takes a special person to love and teach these kids. They are wrong. I am the one who is blessed by these children. I wake up everyday ready to go to work. They say it takes special parents to raise a child with disabilities. They will argue with that statement. I think the more appropriate statement would be "Sometimes it is more challenging, but having the opportunity to love these  children is a blessing." Speaking as the grandma, they have given me more love than I could ever think possible. 

Finding Christmas

 A few weeks ago I wrote about finding Christmas. I was having trouble finding the feeling, the excitement, the love but the most of all I was missing the reason. Then God gave me a gift that will change my life I hope.

On the evening of December 14, I had a brain aneurysm burst. Without knowing what had happened to me, Mike took me to the ER. I was in excruciating pain and my eyelid wouldn't stay open and my face was going numb. I thought maybe it was a stroke. A trip to one er and a transfer by ambulance to another hospital, I was where I needed to be. That is when I found out that my chances to die were greater than the chances to live. God had protected me and saved my life. He put me in the hands of capable doctors that did what was needed to

I will be in the hospital for 2 more weeks. I will miss Christmas with my family. All the worry about not finding Christmas has been lifted. My right eyelid will not open on it's own. The eye is fixed and dilated and the right side of my face is numb. The doctor's say that it could possibly heal but it will take months. I don't know how long I will be off work. I just know one thing. These things don't really matter. I have my life, my family and the most wonderful friends in the world. I am so blessed.
The outpouring of love has made me feel so humble. 

Where is Christmas?

Christmas
Remember those days when you were as excited as your kids waiting on Santa and sharing the love of Christmas. When even the years that were a little leaner, you found a way to make them happy. All the love that would make your heart grow ten sizes. The excitement and wonder that went into making it all come together. Finding the perfect gift to light up their eyes. And one day all those feelings were multiplied by ten because now you have grandchildren.

I love Christmas, I hate that sometimes or most of the time it flies by so quickly that I don't stop and enjoy it. This year, I have not found the excitement. I keep waiting for the feeling, and it just hasn't happened. I don't know where it is. It is less than two weeks away and I am running out of time.

I''m waiting for the magic to begin but it isn't. Maybe it's because life is in the way. I lost my best friend in July and I am losing my mom one day at a time. Her memories are being wiped out one at a time. I  wish that I could wave my wand and turn the clock around again. I pray almost everyday for her not to lose anymore. If she could just stay at this level, I think we could be okay with that. When I get stressed and the walls seem to be caving in, I just shut down. I put walls up and go into denial. If I do these things, then I can hide...right? No, it never works out for me like that, but that is how I deal.
I am sure it will happen, but the timing won't be right. I will be all out of time and have to wait until next year to see the magic.

I feel that maybe I have pushed Jesus Christ out of Christmas and now there is nothing left where my heart is. I know he is the reason for the season. His birth was a miracle and he was born to save us from sin. We get so caught up in the commercialism of Christmas that we forget that his son is really what it is all about. God gave us the greatest gift. There is nothing more important. Sharing our love with our family and others is what God wants of us. I believe that giving the gift of love will help me find the feelings that have eluded me so far.