It Could Be....

This has been a very reflective week for me.  More and more information means more and more assimilation of information and that takes time.  It's a process.  But it's a process that's not easily done in a group (at least not for me) and so as I said...I've been very reflective.

One of the things I did this past week is watch the movie Temple Grandin.  This was an HBO film that came out last year and starred Clare Daines.  Clare did such an amazing job in the movie that she won all sorts of awards for her portrayal of Temple.  If you haven't seen it, I recommend it.  If you've seen it already (and many have), it's always worth a second look.

So why did this movie touch me to the very core?  That's one of the things I've been reflecting on so much and working to be able to articulate.  I think there is going to be a time in the future that I'm going to want to remember these thoughts.

Temple is an extraordinary woman who achieved amazing things in her life.  Let's face it, whether you are autistic or you are neurotypical......her achievements should not go un-noticed by anyone.  I think this is one of the things that bothers me about this story is that it didn't seem to get a lot of "press & media."  Even with such superb acting and the story itself, it should have really hit the airwaves....and it didn't.  I'm not sure what that says exactly but it leaves an uneasy feeling in me.

As I said, Temple is a wonderfully brilliant woman who had/has much to offer the world.  And the story truly is about her and her life.  But what really touched me were the people around her that supported her and encouraged her.  Oh don't misunderstand she had more than her fair share of bullying (in childhood and adult life), name calling, belittling, etc. to last several thousand lifetimes.  But there were folks along the way that gave her a chance, that listened to her and that pushed her just a little bit to do the thing she was scared of the most.

If I gain nothing else from that movie it was about support, encouragement, and belief.  At least that's what it was for me.  It gave me a brief glimpse into the world of an autistic child and it gave me hope.  Do I think that every child who has autism will obtain their doctorate?  No, I don't.  But it's a great lesson in not selling these kids short and helping them to bloom in their own potential.  WHATEVER that may be.  It could be your doctorate, it could be living on your own, it could be having a job, it could be being able to dress yourself, it could be driving, it could be stacking items.....it could be.  "It could be" is my new phrase right now that I want to incorporate in our lives.

I took this movie to my Mom's house this weekend and watched it with her.  First, there's just nothing like going home to Mom's when you've had a really stressful, brain-straining week.  Second, no one (aside from Nea's Poppa) loves your kid like you.  Grandma....is a realllly close 2nd.



















Nea has just "come into" a relationship with Grandma these past 3-4 months.  Once she even ran to greet her with a hello (we all almost fell over) and since that time she's been snuggly and lets Grandma get closer than she's ever let anyone (besides her parents).  Grandma's in heaven of course and I'm happy to see Nea nurture a new relationship.  I should also add here that my nephew has a connection with Nea that the rest of us don't have.  Not even her Poppa and I.  He's cared for and adored her since she was a tiny infant, and he's never stopped.  Somehow on some ethereal level that only kids understand.....their hearts stay very connected.


Nea had a fixation on the snowbabies and angels all weekend.  The girl loves pairs.  Seriously, for awhile I found things around my house in pairs all the time.  She stares and stares at the faces and gets lost there for  quite awhile.  I wish I could see what she sees when she's looking at them.


At Grandma's house, you get to sit in the sink.  Grandma seems to understand that being all curled up in the sink makes a girl feel safe, secure and provides a little sensory input that relaxes.  The beauty is that Grandma doesn't care, she just lets you be you.

As you can see, Grandma's house is a place where you can let your hair down and just have fun.  With all the therapy and all the work Nea has to do every day, having these special times are really important to me.  We all need to find balance between work and play, and our kids are no different.  There aren't many places you can go, sit in the sink, hold precious porcelain items, and splash water in the sink with your feet....except at Grandma's.

We LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!!!  Thank you for letting us come on short notice, and letting us hang out at your house and for always being our biggest fan!!

It could be.

It could be.

It could be.

It could be.