A Good Day

I’ve reposted this here from a post I originally shared on August 29, 2023 about a good day that I had with Matthew.

Hey everyone, 
So it’s been a bit. Sorry about that. Life intervenes sometimes.

And sometimes it takes your breath away . . . like this afternoon, which will probably rank in my top five of afternoons.

I went to pick my son up from Grissom this afternoon. He’s a senior there, but he doesn’t drive because he’s on the autism spectrum, and his autism is on the severe end of the spectrum. 

When he got into the car, we did our usual slightly one-sided dialog about his day. Like most teens, he was more interesting in his iPad . . . of course his was playing songs from the Wiggles, but that’s fine. I actually really like the Wiggles. 

Anyway, I had heard he had had a good day at school, and so I was praising him for that. And as we turned on our street, I casually mentioned to him, “I love you, buddy” while he sang along to “Where’s Jeff?” 

We pulled in, and I was going to run in to grab his after school goldfish and some fresh water. I looked at him, and asked if he wanted to just wait in the car because we were about to head to Flow, a local trampoline park, to see his other friends who are a part of Making Connections, an autism support group.

He did want to just wait, and so as I was jumping out to grab his snack, he reached over and touched my forearm. Thinking that maybe he wanted to ask for something else other than goldfish, I turned back, and looked at him. 

He paused, cause that’s his way, and he thought for a moment, and then glanced at me. Eye contact isn’t easy for him, but he wanted to make sure I was listening. 

And he said, “I love you, too.” 

My son, who struggles with communication, fought to tell me he loves me. 

So yeah, today was a good day. Perhaps even the best. 

Hope your day is solid as well.