Autism Taught Me to Cherish the Little Things

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Most parents take it for granted that their child runs when chased – but that was not my reality until recently. In fact, if I ran towards Luke chanting mischievously, “I’m going to get you!” Luke would just stand there. He greatly enjoyed it when I would lift him into the air and swing him around, but he was missing that a big part of the fun was in the chase.

Each day when his therapist would arrive, we would spend several minutes practicing. One of us would pick him up and run with him in their arms, as his eyes danced and watched excitedly at the other one of us running in pursuit. We would coach him to yell “Go!” when he wanted us to run. Day after day for weeks this went on.

Then one evening, Luke put it all together. “GO!” he yelled at me and then took off running, slowing down about half-way down the hallway to look over his shoulder and make sure that I was running after him – and running after him I was! Again, and again, and again for nearly a half-hour we were running through the house shouting “Go! Go! Go!” and giggling with delight. I was beyond exhausted long before the game was over, but I continued running with gusto and with tears of joy rolling down my cheeks. My son wanted to play with me!

It was at this moment that I found my mind turning to parents who have never had a child that did not have the ability to play with them. To have been spared that sorrow is a blessing to be sure, but it also makes it easier to pass up moments like the one I just described. Perhaps there is a sink full of dishes, or a deadline, or maybe it’s just the first time you have been able to sit down all day. Any number of things can distract us from precious moments with our little ones that once lost, can never be retrieved. As for me, I’ll be running.