I’m Thankful For You: My Son’s Angel Nana
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Kayla Stewart and is part of Cooper’s, ‘I’m Thankful For You’ Campaign.)
This November I would like to honor my Mom Tammy, who is now my son’s Angel Nana up above.
My son Dawson is going to be four at the end of this month and was diagnosed with autism on March 6th, 2017 at the age of 3.5 years old. Although he is nonverbal, he can sign a song in a heartbeat. He loves being hugged tight and being held high. And oh, the laugh on this kid is amazing. His favorite pastime is listening to The Daddy finger and Five Little Monkeys jumping on the bed along with Thomas the Train. He is the happiest boy that ever stepped foot into my life and truly a beautiful unique soul. Daily, it feels like we have all these puzzle pieces that we try to put back into place. Every day there are challenges that we need to overcome but at the same time every day is an inspiration with him by our side.
My mother was Dawson’s biggest advocate. She sat by his side in complete silence. She saw us at our worst but only talked about our best. She was the one person that saw through my son’s eyes and entered his world every time he was around.
My mom cheered Dawson on. She cried with us and called us every single day asking how we were. She never once questioned my son’s diagnosis of nonverbal autism. For her it just clicked because she took the time to learn about it. Their visits together included hours of Peek-A-Boo and dancing to the Mickey Mouse ‘Hot Dog Song.’
Every week, she would come grocery shopping with me to help watch Dawson even if it meant sitting in the car with “Daddy Finger” blasting in her ears. She continuously offered to give our family a break and she was the only person we ever trusted with him because she just knew him.
In this world, so many people just do not get it. For her, I was thankful that she did.
Unfortunately, Dawson’s Nana fell ill. I remember visiting her that morning, Dawson was babbling at her bedside. She said, ‘It’s beautiful to hear his voice.’ We said our goodbyes and I love you’s. That night, October 17th, 2017, my Mom suddenly passed away at the age of 47.
My mom was the one beautiful soul who understood Dawson. She gave him a million hugs and never once questioned his disability. She treated him like he deserved to be treated; with kindness, strength and love. It only takes one person to change your life and she changed ours. Keep the people in your life that heard you when you never said a word.
Miss you more than ever mom. Keep shining that light down on your ‘little monkey.’
You can still nominate the doctors, therapists, teachers, friends and family that make a difference in your special needs world. Click HERE to learn how!
