These Moments.

We were standing at the bathroom sinks brushing our teeth when Brian started stomping his feet in a rhythmic manner.

I watched him and when he stopped he smiled at me.  It was a smile of invitation to play.

So I stomped my feet back in the same pattern.

The reciprocal stomping went on for several more rounds when he decided to add in a spin.

I continued to repeat after him, both of us grinning from ear to ear.

The next spin was accompanied by him speaking the words, "Turn Around". 

It's moments like these, that sneak into the mundane routine of the day, that you miss if you're not living in the moment.

It's moments like these that will keep me smiling for at least a week.  The memory of this moment will push me through the tantrums, the SIBs, the cleaning of the bathroom. ..

These are the moments I live for.

The Elephant Series

People with autism often make an attachment to objects.

They usually can't be seen too far from their object of affection.

It's like a security blanket.

For some reason it makes them feel safe in this crazy world of ours.

I've met people with attachments to spoons, to long, stringy things, and of course to trains.

My boy goes through phases.

One whole day he was attached to a fish stick.

He carried it in his little palm while we ran errands, played outside, and was still there when he fell sleep.

Right now it's an elephant.

He's been going strong since June.

Brian doesn't need to carry him everywhere.  

He is able to go to school and most errands without him.

But when he does have him you can feel a sense of relief wash over him.

When he first sees him at the end of a long day, it's like watching a friendship rekindle.

I enjoy the elephant.  More than the trains.  And much more than the fish stick.

In many religions elephants are revered. 

 In Asia they symbolize strength and wisdom.

Hindu cosmology of Ancient India said that elephants supported and guarded the world.

That makes me happy.

I like the idea of Brian's new friend guarding over him.

And supplying him with strength and wisdom.

And hopefully that rubbing off on me.

My Mom Got Married.

A Wedding Tale Through Brian's Eyes

My Mom kept telling me that there was going to be a wedding.  She was going to marry Colin.

She made me a social story and we talked about it a lot.

I overheard her and Colin saying that they weren't going to put any pressure on me that day.

That they wanted me to enjoy it and if that meant I didn't participate in parts of the day, then no big deal.

I remembered that.

The day started off good.  My Mom had packed all of my favorite toys and I played with them while she had her hair and make-up done.

She even bought me some french fries to share with her.  I ate most of them.

Things were going good and I was starting to wonder what all this fuss was about getting married.

Then my Mom helped me get dressed.

What in the world was she thinking?

The tie and boutonniere didn't last five seconds.

I tolerated the shirt and pants.  

I mean, I made a fuss, but at least I didn't tear them off and go streaking.

I considered it.

The night before the wedding I had to practice walking down the aisle.

It was no big deal, quite easy.

I was suppose to walk with my cousin Layla.

I hesitated on the big day though.

I wanted to walk with my Mom.

She said I could if I wanted to.

She reminded me that it was my day too.

But I surprised her and I took that sign and walked down the aisle all by myself!

I was a little bit louder than I was the night before during rehearsal, but I did it.

       

So I get down the aisle and go to my seat.

And this is when I realized my Mom clearly had lost her mind.

I saw her pack me this great bag of snacks, toys, and my iPad.

She promised me it would be at my seat during the wedding.

Guess what?

She forgot it in the reception hall!!

I was not a happy camper and I was going to keep yelling so no one could hear what my Mom and Colin were saying.

But then Peter offered me his phone.  What a nice guy!

I decided it wasn't worth it for me to yell and cry.  

I decided this wedding thing wasn't too bad if I had a phone to play games on.

Then my Mom asked me to go up to the arbor to pour some sand.  I said no.

But then she told me I could bring the phone with me.

So I went up.

She gave me some deep compression squeezes while we poured the sand, so it wasn't too bad.

After the wedding my Mom asked me if I'd take some pictures.

Hello?? Didn't she know there was a band playing and a party going on in the reception hall??

I let her get one formal shot of me.  With my lemonade.

Actually, after the pressure was off of me for pictures I decided I'd photobomb my Mom's bridal pictures.  Love how Pipyr caught me behind my Mom!

Since I was finally relaxed and ready my Mom took advantage and got a couple more formal pictures with me in it.

The reception was definitely the best part of the day.  I got to dance, I got to eat gluten free cupcakes, I got to run around and make everyone wonder where I disappeared to.  

If you're going to get married in the future I think you should just skip the ceremony and get to the fun stuff!

I'm pretty sure I didn't do everything that that social story talked about but my Mom and Colin haven't stopped telling me what a good job I did that day.  And now I have a stepdad, which is pretty cool.

I guess having to wear those itchy pants and shirt were worth it.

All photos credited to Pipyr Photo.