I think each year will get easier. The sad lingers less each time... I'm working at no expectations but it's going to take some practice... I kind of suck at it right now.
Once he found one egg- he was done.
I'm pretty sure at this point I was yelling- PICK UP EGG! PUT IN BASKET!!! Over and over again...
Parker was content with a couple pieces of candy and was also not interested in finding eggs...
After a couple of minutes (of getting yelled at to look for eggs) he just wanted to go inside...
In a huff, I gathered up the eggs from the yard, consolidated the boys baskets and put the rest of everything out of sight. Out of mind then too- right?
Me, Cynical? noooo... well, maybe....just for today...
But guess what- we are gonna still do Holidays at our house...because they celebrate something much bigger than Santa and Chocolate Bunnies and that's how I roll... And when I remember that - the big picture- it doesn't sting so bad. The show will go on.
And the day wasn't all bad... Not at all once I decided it wasn't Easter anymore...
Parker and I played in the water puddles created from our neighbors drive way car wash...
We have a rule- the dirtier we got the more fun we had. Clearly we had a blast.
And my heart soared when Parker said Ball so perfectly... Twice... We withhold objects to try to get him to repeat a word-Parker- do you want the ball? Say Ball... he makes noises that I think he thinks sounds like what he's supposed to say- but it actually just sounds like duhahapruahdijsoiarueio... But this time was ball was a for sure.
And I even got Car in the bath when we were getting clean... And it felt better than Easter it was so good.
We are so grateful for Teacher Amber and her mad patience and speech skills!!! Way to go Parker AND Amber!!!
And it was also a good day because there was jumping...
Lots and lots....
Of jumping...
Just keep jumping...
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I hate it when someone asks me a question and I have absolutely no idea of the answer. A question like- What's your phone number? I pause- heart beating rapidly...
I'm sorry, what was that? I ask- pretending not to have heard so I can buy time.
It happened when I got an MRI on my neck a few months back. The technician asked- What kind of music do you like?
Ummm- music? I couldn't think of one single song, let alone one I liked. Finally I thought of a song- Happy Birthday? No- don't say that...I don't know- I think I like emo, I said...I think that's what it's called.
I was referring to a style of music- like Emotional/Singer songwriter. I got onto the bed of the MRI, I was strapped into place and was then moved into the tunnel... The Technician gave me instructions- I wasn't supposed to swallow during each scan- which usually lasted 2-3 minutes...I was barely breathing as to not shake the machine...
And then the music started- and it was screaming angry punk music....Emo must also sound like some random Punk band... And suddenly it got harder to breath...All I could feel was ice cold panic. The air was stale... I couldn't move...I couldn't swallow away the fear in my throat. I felt like I was going to die. I wanted to jump up but I was enveloped by the machine. I wanted to stretch and flail my legs and spread my toes and just start screaming--- I need out!!! Get me out!! But I mind over mattered myself through and didn't think about it again until this past Saturday when I went to get an MRI of my shoulder.
The Technician asked what music I liked...Oh no- This hard question again? Why didn't I do my homework? How did I forget about this?
I looked so confused....Um....I like Dave Matthews...type stuff... Um...something mellow... I had a really bad experience with some violent punk stuff last time...
I laid on the bed and was velcro'ed down...I was told not to move my right hand...and my hands started shaking...and the machine was so loud- banging and clicking, ringing and vibrating... Deep breaths... And all of the sudden I thought back to Greyson at a birthday party a week prior...
Holy shit, this is exactly how he felt I thought. We were at Pump It Up- a indoor arena with wall to wall Bounce Houses and slides...A dream for most kids...But it was a nightmare for Greyson and many Autistic kids with overly sensitive sensory experiences... It was pitch black in the room with the only light being emitted were from glow sticks strobe lights and chasing colored beams...
The sound of music and children squealing penetrated the air...Greyson instantly had a fight or flight response...Michael was holding him and he started thrashing to break free as if his very Life depended on it... And for all the times I have no idea what I am doing in Parenting- this moment I knew exactly what to do... And I took his little body and held him tight...and we went and sat on the floor up against a wall away from the action...I could feel his heart pounding...and he was pointing towards the door telling me- OUT! OUT! And there was a part of me that thought- Just relax and deal little dude... It will get easier... It's not a big deal...just some pretty lights... We are going to sit this through...And there was another part of me that thought- This is too hard for both of us- we should just go... But we made it over that terrible hump and we stayed.
But all of the sudden in this MRI machine I felt his pain...and it was a big deal... and although not rational- his feelings arereal... And I will always challenge him to go outside his comfort zone- but I will try and remember how it feels to feel so completely scared and overstimulated...
And while in the MRI, without moving a muscle, cool tears ran out the corner of my eyes...Because I was so amazed and proud of my son... Sometimes it just makes my heart ache... And if Greyson can do hard things--things that scare the very Life out of him...Than so could I...
And so
can
you
Friend....
Much Love,
Chrissy
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