Mothers Day

This is a day that just about everyone celebrates in some way-- Obviously because "Everyone has a Mother". I don't believe it takes a day "earmarked" to honor the person who gave birth to us, However our society kinda "gloms" on to this tradition and you actually can feel left out or excluded if you don't "participate".

For the vast majority of Moms who have kids and adult children with Autism this can be a day of sadness-- AND ITS OK TO FEEL THAT WAY. MOST Children no matter how difficult they can be; find some way to stop for even 10 minutes and buy a card, to give a kiss and hug, make something they did all themselves or pick up the phone and say "I Love you". For the families with Autism it can be a very different day. Many of our kids don't have the concept or social "cognizance" to understand those delicate nuances of a card hand picked by them or a small effort to construct a picture on their own-- They do not get that there is any meaning behind this or what is significance can be.

Many of the Moms who live with Autism think of this as just another day to get by -- Keeping a routine in place so there is no meltdown or gracefully bowing out of an invitation with the knowledge that somehow it would become a disaster instead of a pleasure . I don't want this to sound OMINOUS I just want to express what I am quite sure many have already thought.

For Years My mother has made an effort to have a card and some little thing for me, by my son, on Mothers Day{and other holidays too}-- Don't not get me wrong I am appreciative and that's what my Mother did for me even tho it was her turn too! Its the simple fact that Dakota doesn't seem to understand that it is what comes from him that makes me the most proud--Theres an emptiness that comes on your birthday,Christmas or some other holiday when you cannot enjoy a small simple gesture from your child. Its not about the glory or bragging rights  of what they got you or did for you; its about being "typical".  Its about being like everyone else  once in awhile. Its just another part of our world that many cannot comprehend. 

We as Moms on this path know its OK and we are OK and we WILL BE OK ! Its just another glitch on the system or another niche in the road. We will get by it. Just in a different way than Most Moms today.

Capture what you can with who you can! Enjoy the day because you are here and with your family and not because it is a holiday to recognize that. Be thankful for the crazy things in your life and always know there are other people out there with different struggles and theirs can always be worse than yours.  

AND for all the Moms out there living with Autism I send a special tribute to you as an "unsung hero" and a "keeper of the torch"  to bring just a little more light into your child's life. You are all my heroes-- Happy Mothers Day