Last night, around 6:30 p.m., I heard the familiar chime of my phone notifying me of a text message. It was from my son Jake, and I smiled, because noting the time, I knew what it would be. I opened it and saw the familiar dark outline of tree branches, highlighted by the powdery blues, pale pinks and corals of the sky framing them – as seen from our back porch.
It was the sunset. And on every clear day, Jake sends me a picture of it. Afterward, he always runs into whatever room I’m in and exclaims “Isn’t it pretty? The sunset is SO PRETTY!” and then he asks me for a high-five before running back out again, off to another adventure. Although he’s been doing this for a long time now (as long as he’s had a smartphone, so more than two years), last night’s picture moved me to tears. You see, the very moment he sent me his sunset picture, I was looking through his baby album, reminiscing in preparation for today, his 17th birthday. Seventeen years ago today, following a blur of literal blood, sweat and tears, Jake made his debut into this world, all 9 pounds, 10 ounces of him. Within minutes of his birth, after they quickly cleaned him up and thrust him into my waiting arms, he was staring at me intently. His dark blue eyes bore right into mine, as if he was desperately trying to send me some kind of message… That moment stands out to me starkly, because I’ve been around newborn babies many times, including Jake’s big brother Austin and his little sister, Kate. I have never in my life seen one that young – just minutes from birth! –stare so intently. As I gazed back into his eyes, tears of love falling from mine, I had no idea that just two years later, he wouldn’t look at me at all. * * * Jake has autism, a developmental disorder that impairs one’s ability to communicate and socialize. As with many things in life, such as love, feelings about pineapple on pizza, or political persuasion – it exists on a spectrum. Jake happens to have a more severe form. Although he is verbal, loving and affectionate, he has enormous difficulty in communicating, and is also intellectually disabled, with an IQ of 49. It took him many years to finally make eye contact with others, and it is still hard for him. But far from being a victim, Jake has a more successful and happier life than almost anyone I know. I’ve learned more life lessons than I can count from Jake. In honor of his birthday, I’d like to share some of them with you. You’re never too old for Winnie-the-Pooh. Jake has loved Pooh from the time he was a baby. To this day, he never goes to bed without his beloved, well-worn Pooh by his side. He loves Star Wars, Avengers, video games – all the things his peers enjoy, but he’s just as likely to watch the latest adventures happening in the Hundred Acre Wood. Whenever he does, I’ve learned to stop whatever I’m doing and join him, and it always puts me in a great mood.
Take pride in what you do, even the small things.
Let people know you care about them with thoughtful gestures.
Dance even when people are watching. There’s a cutsie quote a lot of people have shared on social media or even framed in their homes: “Dance like no one is watching.” Well, what’s the fun in that?
Be kind, be positive, and persevere. Life can be hard, and it can hurt. But that’s never an excuse to be unkind or to whine and give up. Imagine for a moment the tremendous challenge of attending a huge high school with a disability like autism. Loud noises, bright lights, boisterous students everywhere: these are all things that are physically painful to someone with autism. Then throw in trying to navigate the treacherous social maze when you don’t understand 99 percent of the social cues everyone else takes for granted. Jake has faced all of this with courage and a positive attitude. Three years in (he’s a junior) and what an impact he has made! He even got a standing ovation from his peers just last week. If he can do it, ANYONE can.
Look around. You can probably find something that makes you happy no matter where you are. Even in traffic!
That thing that scares you. Do it anyway.
Get down on the floor and play with your pets. It’s good for the soul.
Appreciate every sunset. Or every sunrise. Or whatever enchants you. Never lose your sense of awe and delight in the world. Although Jake has been sending me sunset pictures from our backyard for years, I cried when he sent me the picture last night because the full impact of it hit me, all in one moment. This child of mine, who looked so intently into my eyes after he was born, only to later lose that ability, sees the world with new eyes every single day. And that might be the most important lesson of all.
2 Comments
Sean McCloskey
2/19/2017 03:17:42 pm
Just an awesome story!
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Christine
4/23/2017 08:00:07 pm
Beautifully written. My Jake is now 19 and struggles to "adult" most days but has that same awe of simple beauty. Autism is the hardest, most intense, fascinating thing I have ever had to deal with. I seem to find a commonality of the heart among these children -of all levels of ability- and it is a blessing.
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MisfitsJust a gaggle of people from all over who have similar interests and loud opinions mixed with a dose of humor. We met on Twitter. Archives
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