I have a Date with my Boy

I have a date tonight. At 4:30. Right after school.

We are going to go train hunting. Me and my boy.

He has a ticket. Well, actually it’s a piece of paper that I wrote on this morning. But to him, it’s a ticket.

A reminder. Something he can hold onto. And treasure.

Something he can show his teachers. And keep with him all day.

I am going to pick him.

I am going to bring snacks and drinks.

I know he will burst out the doors smiling. Running.

My boy. In leggings and shorts. Full of color. And noise. So much noise.

He will be carrying his ticket. He will be scanning the parking lot. Looking for me. And his therapist will try to slow him down.

She will say stop. And look for cars.

But his eyes will be scanning the parking lot and eventually lock on mine.

And I will run to him. I’m not joking. I will wrap him in a bear hug so big that he will almost fall over.

And he will giggle. A deep, belly laugh giggle.

Picking up Cooper is the best part of my day. He is so excited. So happy. I have never seen joy like I do in that little boy.

And I make a big deal out of it. Because I know he has been waiting for me. All day.

I know because when I open up his speech device after school it says, ‘I want mom.’

My goal as my children’s mom is for them to know how truly treasured they are. And this is how I show my boy.

I make a promise to pick him up. And I keep it.

My other son would be embarrassed if I greeted him this way. Huge and loud and full of hugs and kisses. He’s already at that age.

But not my Cooper.

He will immediately make the ‘choo-choo’ sound as loud as he can. Hand motion and all.

And we will be off.

The two of us.

I will fill the car with questions. I will ask him about his day. His lunch. I will talk for five minutes or so and try and get a response.

Sometimes he grunts. Sometimes it’s silent. I try to make him laugh.

We look at water towers and point out airplanes, big diggers and cows.

He loves looking out the window.

He will ask me for my phone so he can watch his favorite videos of our family. They happen to be our past train hunting adventures, Sawyer dancing and singing and one of our potty training humorous moments.

He will watch them and laugh and laugh.

Oh to find such joy in such simple things.

When we get to the train bridge he will climb in the front seat and wait with me. He always holds my hand.

And we wait. Sometimes we see a train after five minutes. Sometimes it’s an hour. And we wait.

Often in silence. Just the two of us.

I’m telling you all this because it’s relatively new. I prayed for this. I prayed for a way to connect with him.

A way to spoil him. A place I could take him. Something that we could do together. And ‘talk’ about.

An activity he could enjoy.

Something we could look forward too. And be excited for.

We worked for this. I prayed for this.

We have it now.

As his mom, all I have ever wanted was him. All of him. And for him to be happy.

I have plans with Cooper tonight. Me and my boy.

And I couldn’t be more excited.

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Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.