Sunday, October 31, 2010

...Happy

We did it!
Jackson put on his Mario costume and headed down the street.
At the first few houses he needed prompting on the "thank you" part, but overall he did great! He loved it; noticed other kids costumes and would comment, "The boy is Spiderman, Jackson is Mario". He waited his turn and handled the crowd.
Here is a of picture the boys with Dan enjoying Halloween:

Hopeful...

Once again, it's Halloween. The favored holiday of many kids filled with costumes, candy and fun. Halloween has not always been a favorite of Jackson's, so this afternoon I am hopeful (ever so hopeful) that he'll enjoy tonight. If not for his sake for Callahan's.
The day has been uneventful.
The coveted Mario costume has been purchased.
The weather is cooperating.
So we wait...and hope.

I so much want him to just enjoy this ritual. Celebrate the holiday, relax and delight in the moment. I want his brother to have a "normal" Halloween. The memory of last year's Halloween fiasco haunts me. I want this year to be different.

So, I'll update here the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Here's to hoping the ugly is just photos of ugly costumes!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Just One Moment

Ever had a moment that you just want to last and last? A memory that is short on time, but long on heart? Tonight we traveled to watch the 7th grade football team compete in their last game of the season. It was one of those times where I wasn't sure at all what to expect from Jackson; new place, different field and stands. He wasn't completely prepared for it. Anything could happen.


The weather was perfect. Our team was winning and my son was cheering. He held up signs that the cheerleaders held and led many in the crowd in the chant, "Defense, Defense". He was excited, engaged and involved in the game. He had "shared attention" for you therapy gurus out there. He was content, happy.

In that moment, autism didn't define him. Autism didn't limit him. Autism didn't suffocate him. In that moment, he was cheering for his team; nothing else mattered. In that moment, I felt triumph. In that moment, I felt like I had done something right. It was the kind of moment with energy of its own. The kind of moment you want to hang on to. The kind you want to package away to retrieve on dark days.

It's my moment to cheer now, "Way to Go 'busco fans!" Once again you all made a priceless memory. Thanks for being a part of his life.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

On Life and Afterlife...

It's been a busy couple of weeks! Jackson turned 13, THIRTEEN, yesterday. We celebrated with his friends on Sunday. The kids all had a great time playing mini-golf and hitting in the cages at the Plex. Jackson was thrilled to have quarters to drop in the crane game, over and over again. [Thanks Larisa!] Everyone had a good time, and Jackson did as well as I could expect him to do.

His incredible teacher took time to bake a cake with him on his special day at school and used sugar letters to spell words on the cake. Evidently, he loved making and decorating the cake, but when it came time to actually eat the cake, he insisted: "No, you can't make me!" At which, this wonderful teacher, took him around to several other teachers and had him share his creation with them. That's the thing about Jackson, he knows how to throw you for a loop. Who would think a kid wouldn't want to eat a cake he helped make? Anyway, he had a great birthday, topped off at the 7th grade football game where the cheerleaders called him down to hang out with them and the Eagle Mascot at half-time as the fans joined in singing "Happy birthday". Only in Churubusco does this kind of magic happen. Someday, someone will make a movie about it, I'm sure. :)

I spent Jackson's actual birthday saying good-bye to my beloved Uncle Jack. Who reminded me from the time Jackson was born, "He'll always be Jack to me". I've thought a lot about Uncle Jack these past few days...he was an amazing, generous, and loving person. [I could stand to take a page from his book many times!] I've thought about Uncle Jack as another angel watching over my son from heaven. I've considered how my Jackson brings out the best in people. I could cite many examples, but just now, my heart is heavy and my eyes are tired. I'm content just to reflect on the goodness of so many people and especially, the goodness of one who will be greatly missed. Keep your eye on him from up there Uncle Jack! <3