Autism families! That's who!
This morning I was once again reminded how much I love other parents in the autism trenches. I'm sipping my umpteenth cup of coffee. Chillin' like a villain because the boy is off to school and Daddy Fry is at the office. Dog is taking his first in a series of naps for the day. The laundry is going. It's cold and rainy out and I don't have anywhere to be other than Facebook.
I get lots of requests to post questions to the page. I try to do it as much as I can because I know that there are so many people, so many experiences, somebody is bound to have the trick that worked. So I just posted one and I smile how in minutes people just start responding with ideas. It's like a think tank. I learn so much from that page everyday. The one kind of response that always just floors me with it's awesomeness is a poster who immediately replies "PM me" (private message) or "Send me a friend request". I LOVE THAT! How completely wonderful that is. We live in a community where this happens a lot online. We just extend our hand of friendship through the computer screen. Never seen a person before. They could live in another country and we are quick to say "yes I get you. Let's talk".
I also love what I call in my head the "virtual high five". Simply by clicking the "like" button under someone's comment that person can see they are not alone. That it is something you know as well. It happened to you. You get the joy, the stress, the emotion of it all. A pat on the back to know your hard work is being recognized.
I love how many people share what's going on in their lives. Keeping it real and telling it like it is. Thank you for your honesty. You have to know your words encourage others.
Mostly, I love the folks that can laugh despite having all the ups and downs that comes with ASD. I mean eventually you just have to laugh. Don't get me wrong, I have days where I go hide and sulk. Eventually I have to pull myself out of it. I don't have a choice. Dinner has to be made. The Kiddo driven to some sort of therapy. The gears in the works don't stop. If I'm going to keep on keeping on, I'm going to do it with a smirk and some sarcasm.
And of course with a side of fries.