Spilled Milk

My nephew Jordan has been friends with a little boy who has mild autism since he was in kindergarten. I love that he is sensitive and understanding enough to accommodate the needs of a kid who socializing is NOT easy. Jordan is a wonderful and caring young man... I love that about him. He has also always had a very soft spot in his heart for Abby. I think it hurts his heart a little to know that she will grow up in a world where she will be "different".

This past weekend my Mom took Jordan and his friend to the pumpkin patch to play. After they left and too his friend home Jordan and my Mom were driving home. He asked my Mom is she thought that people noticed when his friend flaps. She responded yes, but that is okay because people understand. He followed that up, almost solemnly, by asking if people will notice when Abby flaps. She again responded yes but that people will love her anyway. She said he didn't make a peep the rest of the ride home.

It made me sad to think of the pressure that Abby's special needs but on the big kids. Genna and the boys are more like siblings to the girls than anything else and they treat each other as such. We have always been very up front about Abby's "issues" even when I was pregnant and didn't know what the future would help. As I sat feeling sad about it I realized how easy it is to get caught in the sad part of it. If you think about it too long it does make you feel mad and sad for her. But what is the point. Why sit and feel sad about something you can't change. I will always have those moments when something is extra hard for her or she can't do something and I will want to cry. At the same time I have to remember that what is...is. It can't change. Spilled milk is already spilled. Who cares how the world sees her or what they say when we can't hear. As long as I can do my best to protect her from people's lack of empathy or just sheer ignorance that's all I can really do.