Yesterday I passed the exit I used to take to get Emily to The Westview School. As I drove passed, my mind traveled back to the past to the days of commuting to school, learning about autism, and all the fears I had as a mom with a child on the spectrum.
Soon after receiving our diagnosis, someone shared Emily Perl Kingsley's essay, Welcome to Holland with me and yesterday's drive gave me time to think about some of the tulips and windmills and what I would share with my younger self...
First thing I would do is put my arm around my shoulder, give a squeeze and say,
"It really will be ok."
Yes there will be hard things, things that feel impossible and at times you will feel helpless. But these hard things are necessary things. They become the necessary tutors, the only teachers, that can equip Emily and prepare her for more independence.
You won't have to figure things out on your own.
Don't limit your dreams by what is on the internet or what diagnosticians project. Emily is unique. Your family dynamics are not the norm. You really can't imagine what is ahead.
Hold fast to faith and allow enough naivety to take risks.
Build on her strengths and invest in her character. Don't waste a second trying to catch up or fill in gaps. Being normal is not the goal.
The photos in this post are from a recent trip Emily and I got to enjoy--her senior trip just 4 years late. We enjoyed Disney at our own pace and were grateful to get to do all the things we wanted.
And I am even more grateful "to enjoy the very special, very lovely things" about the journey we are on.
