[/caption]A friend in Chicago was telling me how she went to an event for Autism at Soldier field. Her nephew, who is autistic, started doing his "thing" and she suddenly felt the expansive feeling of freedom in knowing that in that particular setting, his behavior was not at all out of place. I am fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood and have my daughter attend a school where we are allowed that freedom quite often.
On memorial day, Ellie and I took a walk to Willy Street Co-op,
[caption id="attachment_1079" align="alignright" width="300" caption="How many fingers can I get in this mouth?"]
[/caption]one of our favorite neighborhood haunts. We were on a "date", a special time for just the two of us to connect. As we walked through the grocery store, Ellie sang loudly to me, "I LOVE YOU!!" To which she wanted me to sing back the same, it is our little game, typically, however, it is played in the privacy of our home. Several people commented how adorable it was that Ellie was singing this wonderful song to me. To which I responded, "I know, can you
[caption id="attachment_1078" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="I love the hairdo in this one and the somewhat uncertain look..."]
[/caption]imagine being serenaded through the grocery store? How lucky
am I?" Because really how many mothers are that fortunate to have their 9-year-olds singing them love songs all the day long regardless of time or place? And how lucky are we to live in a neighborhood and frequent a grocery store where the patrons not only get Ellie's love song, but they appreciate it?
As we were walking home on Williamson Street, a young man suddenly yelled excitedly, "Hi Ellie!" I looked around and saw a boy sitting on his front porch. I asked Ellie who he was and he
[caption id="attachment_1080" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Taking the party dress for a test drive..."]
[/caption]responded by saying, "I am Justin, I am in Ellie's class". Ellie tit tatted (talk + chit chatted) with him for a few minutes, demonstrating her new walk (called the "hip walk") and throwing him some snuggles before doing a double wave good-bye. Once again, I was
completely blown away at how patiently and intently he listened to Ellie's entire demonstration. We have run into so many shining stars in our neighborhood, people who do not merely tolerate Ellie but enjoy her stories, her words, her snuggles. We feel the freedom of not only understanding and acceptance, but love so often here.
Ah, that we all could have the freedom to unnabashedly show and share our love like that...
ReplyDeleteThat's the truth. Sometimes I am up for it, other times too scared. Like today I went to a one-year-old birthday party. When I met my friend Jennifer's mother, I became quite excited. I told her how we just love Jennifer and I was most excited to see and meet where all this fabulousness had come from. Thom appreciated my unbridled enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteJust a moment a go, Ellie told me how much she enjoyed smiling at eachother, so we just took a moment to stand and smile at eachother. There are not many people I can think of who would even notice that, not to mention want to relish it. Boy, am I ever fortunate...
So much love and joy!
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