Mother's Day. Sigh.
This is the 4th year that I have been a mama.
I spent a good chunk of yesterday thinking about Cooper’s past birthdays. About all the holidays. And Halloweens. God I hate Halloween now. Any event where Cooper has to participate is the devil to me. Expectations kill me. Valentines Day. No valentines for us. And Easter Egg hunts.
And then I thought about the future.
This kid is going to be five. He has no words. He has very little awareness. He is going to lose his first tooth soon. And start kindergarten. And have no idea that any of these things are happening.
I am already dreading the upcoming holidays.
I honestly think each year is a little harder.
And to make it even worse Cooper has been sick for two weeks. He had a cold that turned to strep throat that turned to Stomatitis. And for two weeks he didn’t laugh. Each day he appeared a little worse. He was visibly in pain. Agitated. Distraught. Three trips to the doctor, two strep tests, antibiotics, allergy medicine, and the list goes on. I was kicked and head butted. I have mastered the bear hug. Jamie and I fought him on every single dose of medicine. And mostly, I felt that gut wrenching feeling of knowing that something was really wrong with my kid and I couldn’t fix it. I hate autism.
On Saturday night I sat in the ER waiting room holding (wrestling) a wailing Cooper. During check-in he screamed and rolled on the floor. My new sentence throughout this is, “Cooper is nonverbal and autistic and we need to figure out why he is sick. Please be patient with us.”
I glanced around willing someone to say something to me. I can’t do this at age 10.
Here is a video of Cooper at the doctor. He just can’t stop moving. Once the doctor came in he resorted to rolling on the ground and turning the lights on and off. Sigh.
https://youtu.be/yQyeXo4HLjM
He appears to be on the mend now. Thank God.
Last night we sat on the floor after his nap and played blocks. I stared at him as I always do. And hugged him close and prayed a silent prayer for him to get better. For him to improve.
And I prayed that I could accept that he may never say ‘Happy Mother’s Day Mama.’ And that I should be thankful that he played blocks with me for 5 minutes. Because honestly, that is a new skill. We built a tower and he knocked it down. And he laughed from his belly as I tickled him.
I sometimes whisper in his ear and beg for him to talk. I will tickle him and whisper, “I love you Super Cooper…say something to me. Anything. Please.” It’s desperate. Trust me. I know.
So, yes, Mother’s Day is tough. But no different than any other day.
I stood in line at Panera grabbing a salad last night. There was a woman behind me talking to her two children. I would say they were both under 5. They were so visibly excited to pick out a treat. They could not stop talking about all the different options. They were shouting and laughing and fighting over who was going to have what. And the mom had to calm them down on numerous occasions. She was visibly agitated by their excitement and how loud they were. Which I get. No judgment here.
Such a simple exchange though. And one that is taken for granted.
Her kids were excited. They wanted to go to a restaurant with their mom. They wanted a treat. They wanted to pick it out themselves. They wanted to sit and eat it with her.
I’ve never done any of these things with Cooper. Not once. And I might never.
But hey, I did play blocks with my kid for 5 minutes. Be thankful for what you have I guess.
I so get you. Thanks for writing the things we think but are sometimes afraid to say.
You are very welcome. I read this quote one time that said something like…write hard and fast about hard things for they will help others. So…that’s what I do. 🙂
This made me sad, Kate. 🙁 So much is taken for granted. I am a desperate beggar too… I hope God hears our prayers.
I really admire your honesty and transparency.
I just wrote a post about my own disappointment with mother’s day (and holidays in general). It’s all very difficult.
I hope Super Coop is feeling better today.
Oh friend. I just read your post. I so get it. I truly do. It freaking sucks. I already have anxiety about Halloween and it’s months away. I’m in a sad state too. Life isn’t fair.
Halloween is the WORST. I have no idea how I will handle it this year…I think we’ll turn off the light and pretend it doesn’t exist, and I’ll try not to cry. Big hugs to you and your little Coop.
It’s is the worst!!! I think his birthday is the hardest, then Halloween, then Christmas. Cooper hit his head while we sang happy birthday this year. I actually cried. And at Christmas he refuses to open gifts or join the family. I get it. Others struggle with it. And their emotions make me so stressed out. I am going to be a total wreck at his birthday this year.
My kid’s 4th birthday is next week…I’m already having serious anxiety over it. There’s something about that happy birthday song, as my kid punches himself in the head when people sing it to him, and I know my parent’s will insist on it. When does Cooper turn 5?
I’m here for you! 4 was very, very hard for me. I truly thought four was going to be a huge turning point for us. I was wrong. Now I keep reading about all these kids that talk at 5. I walk a very fine line between hope and insanity. He turns 5 December 6th. Birthdays are supposed to be happy. Presents and cake and friends and parties. We have none of it. And I effing hate it. I’m here for you next week!! Anytime friend. I so get it.
Thanks so much Kate. My son’s birthday is on 5/20, but we’re going to my parent’s house for a tiny party for him on 5/17 (which happens to be MY birthday…double whammy). It’s only going to be 6 immediate family members, all adults (no kids). I’ve already told everyone we can have no balloons as they make my kid insanely violent. I’ve also tried to talk them out of the happy birthday song, but to no avail. They like to think he’ll “get used to it.”
I’m going to have to drink some wine and hope I don’t burst into tears when I’m supposed to be celebrating my son’s big milestone. This stuff is so much harder than I ever imagined…thank goodness there are others like you who understand.
Not wanting to repeat what everyone else says, you say what we are all thinking but don’t say and that’s why you are the best. Your last line hit me the most, Be thankful for what you have I guess. So powerful. I am on a local Moms blog and they were all bitching and moaning about things that are actually not problems and it’s hard not to want to just lash out and say, live a day in my shoes and then you will really have something to bitch and moan about. But it’s not going to happen. Everyone has their own problems, some are just sadder and more heartbreaking than others. I’m a very pessimistic person and I have to work to find the silver lining but it’s worth it, otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to help our kiddos. You are a great Momma!
You speak the truth my friend!! I hope you are doing well!
I appreciate your honesty here, and loved reading it. My heart breaks with you. I work with kids with autism and have deep, deep respect for moms of special needs kids. You are amazing and you can do it!
Aw!!! Thank you! You made me smile.