I prayed for this child

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.  1 Samuel 1:27-28

*Jacob is nuzzled up to me as I am writing this, so I apologize in advance for typos.

When expecting both Jacob and Maggie I prayed to the Lord a solitary request.  The gender of either child was not of importance; I wanted both of my children to be born healthy.  But, the Lord knows what is best, and what we can manage, and I know now more than ever that He answers each prayer in His way, not ours.  However I must be thankful, the physical health of both Jacob and Maggie is relatively good on most days, and even when Jacob had to have his two surgeries (one for his ears, another for hydrocele repair) we were referred to two wonderful doctors that I would highly recommend to anyone.

As prayer turns to Jacob’s autism, I can always find an aspect to be thankful for.  The occasions when Jacob has had case workers that were not particularly helpful, he has been given others who have all been blessings.  Then, a year ago we were fortunate to find a PCP who welcomed Jacob as a patient, and immediately referred us to specialists at the Kelly O’Leary Center.  Our PCP is great.  Even more so, when I see other children with autism, suffering from symptoms that we have not yet had to endure, my heart aches, but I also give thanks for where Jacob falls on the spectrum.

Jacob is continuing to do well in therapy, and soon he will no longer be the only “baby”.  There are two prospects, both Jacob’s age, which should be starting anytime.  We are eager for the other children to begin and for further opportunities for Jacob to engage with children his own age.  Because of the new students Jacob has transitioned into a new room, and so far he seems to be adjusting well.  Other great news, the center has hired an SLP, and the children should begin receiving speech therapy very soon.  He is working so hard every day, so much so that he rarely makes it through the day without a nap.  But his hard work is paying off.

Today am I thankful for all of Jacob’s blessings, and for all of the people involved in making this journey possible.

525,600 Minutes

From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. Luke 12:48

In daylight, in sunsets?  In midnights, or cups of coffee?  How do you measure a year?  How about 858 hours of therapy, 116 hours of driving to and from sessions?  In sensory toys, in supplements, in specialists, in struggles and triumphs?  How do you measure a year in the life of an autistic child?  In LOVE!

I wish I could say that this past year has flown by.  I can’t.  Reflecting on all the changes and  challenges that my family has tackled since last August is overwhelming.  I believe that this past year has been the most eventful I have yet to experience.  From opening my home to accommodate First Steps therapists, to relocating three hours from my home for Jacob’s ABA therapy, to alternating our diet to GFCF, every aspect of our lives is consumed by this disorder.

In this year I have seen so many remarkable, wonderful advances in Jacob.  Almost all daily activities are much more difficult for Jacob than they are for a “normal” child, and likely will always be.  However, his progress is a true blessing.  And while a watch the positive effect ABA therapy is having on Jacob’s social and self help skills, I can’t help but wondering if we have made the right decision for our family.  I suppose I could play the “what if” game if we had opted out of ABA as well.

My new season of love will be measured in hearing Jacob say “I love you” (YES! He just started saying it), in Maggie’s hearty giggle, in watching a little sister idolize her big brother, and that same big brother learning from sister.  I will measure this next year by the number of times Jacob asks to be lifted up to shoot a basketball, and the number of wines and fights over toys and personal space.  I will measure this year in love.

Today I am thankful for my beautiful, autistic son.