Dear Big,
Baby, today you turn 19. Words cannot express how proud I am of you today and everyday. You. You, gorgeous boy, the one who made me a mama. The one who gave me a lot of these gray hairs. The one who has the sweetest smattering of freckles across his now full fledged man face. The one who still loves dinos. The one who still makes me laugh when you truly laugh. The one who doesn’t like change…
Oh how you have changed. Oh how you have accepted this challenge and risen to it. One year ago, I was in a panic. You turned 18. You weren’t driving. You weren’t keeping track of assignments. You weren’t ready. Six months ago, you weren’t ready. In June, when we went to Alaska, I saw glimpses of who you were ready to become. In July, more signs you were almost there.
Suddenly, in August, we threw a MAJOR curveball at you. We told you you’d be moving in to the dorm at your college when it had been our plan for you to commute. Here we are. October. Your nineteenth birthday. You’ve been driving for about two months. When people ask me how you’re doing, I say, “He’s living his best damn life.” And you are, sweet boy. You’re navigating too and fro, here and there, going to whatever hiking trail or place to dip your fishing pole calls you. Bigger than this, Baby Boy, you are navigating life.
You are advocating for yourself, joining clubs, keeping track of all the things: cleaning, cooking, calling home. There will undoubtedly be hurdles to come: bad grades, heartbreaks, uncertainty. There is not one doubt in my mind, that you are ready.
I love you yesterday, today, tomorrow…forever.
Love,
Mama
Autism In Our House 