Tricycles and Semi Trucks

To those who think they 'know' what my life is like becuase they've 'met' a person with autism... to those who think they know because they know me, and have met my children... especially to those who've yet to have children of their own...

There is a point when a child is only 5 weeks old, when the new has become painful. When you're woken by a cry for the thrid time that night, and it's only midnight. When you feel like you will never be allowed to sleep again. When you think bright yellow cottage cheeze-looking poop is the worst thing you have ever smelled in your life and you don't think you'll ever get away from it. There is that point. Take heart in the fact that this, all of this, will pass. Eventually it will end. Feel blessed.

Now, when you are sitting there at 2am, trying to think of this, think of me. Think of my friends who have children with disabilities. Think of all the smart mouthed know it all crap you said to us. Then realize, truely realize that this point will pass for you, but it will never pass for us. For us it is forever.  It does not end. As our kids grow older one issue is simply swapped out for another. The sleepless nights don't go away. We know that newborn baby poop is not the worst smelling thing in the world. We don't hold tinly little bundles who can't stop crying and we don't know why. We hold fully grown bundles who can't stop crying and can't explain why.

In that moment, picture in your mind a tricycle with a cute squeeky little horn. Picture yourself sitting on that tricycle tooting that horn. Then look up. I was the armored semi truck in front of you. I was the one who your were sqeezing your little horn at while insiting the road was yours. Now realize exactly how close you came to getting squished, and be thankfull.

Be very, very thankfull.