A letter to all parents…

The next time you get annoyed at your child for interrupting you while you are on the phone…
Be thankful your child has the ability to talk

The next time your child is whiny because they are sick or their tummy hurts…
Thank God your child can tell you where it hurts.

The next time you complain about having to drive here, there, and everywhere for your children…
Be glad to know that when they are 16 they will be able to drive

The next time your child talks back…
Remember at least you have the chance to hear “I love you” without having to prompt your child.

The next time your kids fight...
Be glad that at least they are socially interacting

You see…it hit me this morning as I was getting ready for work and I heard Madison babbling away in the living room. It was adorable…she was being so “talkative”. And it made me realize how very easy it is to take the simple things in life for granted. I do it all the time.

Granted I didn’t birth her…or hold her in my womb for 9 months…I do help raise her every day. I help give her a bath…and make her hair pretty…so that at least she has one less thing to worry about dealing with during the day. Kids are cruel…and they will only get worse as she ages…so if I can give her every single opportunity to fit in…I’m going to try.

As I said…I’m not her biological parent…but I love her as if she were my own. I’m hard…probably too much so…because I want the absolute best for her. I push her…because I know that with a little prodding she can excel beyond even my own wildest dreams. I know how I feel about her…and I can’t begin to know how hard it is for Casey. It’s heartbreaking to see that your child wants to talk…but can’t. Seeing the tears in their eyes as they try so desperately to pronounce a word. Its torture seeing your child sick…only you have no idea where it hurts and where you can kiss the boo boo…because they can’t tell you. Casey is a saint with her. His patience with her knows no bounds. I’m…well…not so much.

While having an autistic child is challenging beyond imagination…I wouldn’t change her for the world. Would it be nice if she could talk?? Of course…but seeing how she looks at the world is amazing. Seeing from her point of view sheds new light on every day things. And quite frankly…it’s fascinating. She will grow to be a remarkable young lady…and I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish!