Beauty in the Smallest Things
It’s hard to put into words what it is like to give your everything and more to a little person who cannot call you Mom.
I do know it is a lesson in unconditional love to the highest degree.
I have this little boy.
He has autism, but he is so much more than that.
He is a living breathing example of all that is pure and all that is good in this world.
He has taught me that the smallest things truly do take up the most space in your heart.
You know, things that come so naturally to other children, my son has to work so hard to learn.
At 3 years young he puts in more work everyday than anyone I know.
Work just to be able to do something that comes so naturally to a neurotypical child. It can be such an emotionally draining and daunting process, especially when I see children much younger than him doing things so easily.
Even my daughter, 2 years younger then him, who so easily learns tasks he is unable to do. But you know what?
In all this heartache there is so much more beauty then I believe some people will ever get to experience.
Today I watched my son pick up a French Fry and dip it in ketchup. You would think we had just received his acceptance to Harvard in the mail.
Such elation over such a seemingly easy task.
This is what I now know, there is immeasurable beauty in the small things, a high five, a wave, a belly laugh, grabbing a hand to hold, an unexpected hug, dipping a French Fry in Ketchup and so much more.
If you told me 10 years ago I would be the mom to child like mine, I would never have believed it.
You just don’t think things are going to happen to you, but you know what?
I thank God for the path he has brought me down. I am a better person today than I was yesterday, more understanding, more patient, less selfish and immensely more appreciative of the small things.
I have my son to thank for that.
I will spend the rest of my life reveling in the small things, appreciating the ordinary and thanking God he brought this angel to me.
Maybe the small things are what it’s all about? Will he call me Mom?
I sure hope so, for tomorrow is always another day. But for today, my son dipped a fry in ketchup and maybe that is enough.
Written by, Taran Dunn
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