Thanksgiving

Today I am so thankful for many things. I am thankful for my son Ryan (all my children of course, but this blog is mostly about him) and really, I am thankful for his Autism. This may be shocking (maybe not) but there are so many times I am just HAPPY that he is who he is. Ryan has overcome so many things...and he doesn't even know that. He doesn't realize that some kids have an easier time with things. He doesn't realize that he is so smart and funny. He doesn't realize that he's my hero.
Ryan wakes up every morning smiling and happy; ready to greet the day. He asks me what he's doing that day and doesn't dwell on the hurt or disappointment of yesterday (many of us could take a lesson from this). He gets excited over things most people take for granted. He is gracious and thankful without meaning to be...he just IS. To Ryan, a hug or a kiss is a wonderful gift. Ryan doesn't care about how many toys he has or if he gets the latest gadget for Christmas. He is truly happy. He is the sunshine to my soul when I have a dark day.
Ryan struggles with social situations. He has a hard time placing himself in other people's shoes. He tells me that sharing is "boring". He has great difficulty in letting his little sister play with any toy of his. When things don't go how he expects them to or wants them to he will have a meltdown. But these challenges make him strong. They make me strong.
I owe Autism a thank you.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to love a child that opens my eyes to a new perspective every single day. Thank you for giving me more patience than I ever thought I could have. Thank you for bringing me close to other families who have children with Autism- those people have enriched my life in a way I could never fully describe and have been the backbone of support I've needed when I thought I can't make it through one more day. Thank you for helping me gain an understanding for those who are "different" that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Thank you for showing me that those "differences" are what make this world beautiful. Thank you, Autism. You may kick me down, spit in my face and tear my heart apart some days...but when I stand up again, I'm stronger. I'm a better mother because of you. And I thank you.