Here’s to the Heroes

My house is mostly male, so in turn we love all of the super hero movies. Hours of our lives have been spent watching comic book characters do amazing things on the screen and admiring how they handle stressful situations and in the end everything works out and they save the world.

This letter is not about them.

This letter is to the everyday heroes in our lives, because there are many. Even more than have ever been created to entertain the masses.

Thanks to my wife

First off. Thanks to my wife. She spends most of her days making sure everything is in order in our home.

Everything I learn about autism usually comes from her sending me information about subjects that I had no idea about. She has introduced me to the autism community and all the support it can offer.

She keeps our boy busy learning and he keeps her even busier. It’s not an easy task raising our three children all while finishing school.

She is the anchor that keeps us from drifting off to sea.

Thanks to family and friends

Thanks to family and friends. Without your support we might have all gone crazy by now.

You all celebrate with us when we hit milestones. You cry when we cry. You worry when we do. Most importantly you love him just as much as we do.

We never worry when you are around. And even though he can’t express it with words, we can’t see in his eyes and in his actions just how much he loves you all back.

Thanks to teachers and therapists

Thanks to all of the teachers and therapists in our lives. We would not have known where to start without you. You have taken us by the hand and guided us along the way.

We have seen him progress so much since you have been involved.

Thanks to the autism community

Thanks to the autism community. You all rock.

Some of the most fun we have together as a family comes from the carnivals and events that are put on by a stranger just trying to create a safe spot for us to go and meet new people that are sharing a similar situation as us.

Words of encouragement and stories of success come from you all and we really appreciate it and wish you all the best.

Thanks to the boy

Finally. Thanks to the boy that keeps us on our toes at all moments.

Although you have shown me how much patience I can have, you have shown me how much joy the simple things in life can bring. Simple things like using a spoon or doing a puzzle or even just looking me in the eyes.

I’ve seen a pretty popular phrase in the autism world that says “This was not the journey I was expecting, but I sure do love my guide.”

I have been to and lived in many different places during my life and you are by far my most favorite guide I have ever had.

So, thank you heroes. Every one of you. The world is better with you in it.

You all deserve your own movie. You help all of the stressful situations and in the end save our little world.

Sincerely,

A Grateful Dad

Written by, Kerry Brown

You can follow Kerry and his families journey on Instagram at DeaksDestinations.

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