Mem-or-i-al Day

I can't say "Memorial Day." It comes out all screwy, and I end up saying it 19 times, not one of them right. Gah. If I go at it one syllable at a time it helps, but I rarely remember. Every time I go to say it, I think, "This is it. I've got it this time!" And every time, it comes out a mess.

The biggest event of the year with the HFA/AS group I go to is its Memorial Day picnic at a big park in the city. This year, 50 people came, and every one of them brought food! My parents and I went to the picnic. I stood around awkwardly, sat with some friends and listened a lot and tried to join in the conversation, and then, getting tired, went over to sit with my mom and the other parents she was with. All the good food aside, I wasn't having all that much fun and was getting ready to go home after 2 hours.

And then, the parents of one of the guys in the group who I talk to online mentioned that they read my blog. They said that their son had trouble expressing why he does certain things, but that by reading my blog, they could gain some insight his mind. It utterly made my day to hear that I was helping someone understand their child better. From experience, the parent-child bond can be very difficult at times with an autistic child, and if I can help someone ease the strain, I'm so grateful. I'm not saying that parents don't love their autistic children or that the children with autism don't love their parents, and both beyond belief, just that the differences in how we both face the world can cause confusion and even frustration.

To the mom and dad I mentioned above, God bless you and your son. You have done an incredible job with him, and your love, patience, and hard work over the years with him shows. He is a kind and generous guy, and I am blessed to call him my friend.

Though unrelated, I also need to mention that I've found an aide! Her name is Sarah, and she's 21. She is Catholic but is willing to come to church with me in the event that my mom can't, and she likes cats. She nannies for a family of 5, and the 8-year-old girl has autism and anxiety, so she has experience. We have plans to head to the mall on Friday, and I can't wait. I almost never get to go out with someone my own age and just have fun and talk, even though I'm not so great at the talking part. So, leave a comment to say hello to Sarah, and she'll see it.