Love Needs No Words
If you’ve followed this page for any period of time, you know my son loves photos.
Photos of Jamie and I when we were young.
Party photos.
Baby photos.
Me as a freshman in college dressed up as a naughty nurse for Halloween.
His dad taking a shot out of a beer bong made out of a plastic penguin named Petie.
Our friends too. Old and new.
He loves really happy photos. Carefree people. Letting loose.
He hunts around the house for them. Digs in Rubbermaid tubs in the basement. Sneaks into closets for photo albums.
I quite literally never know what or who I am going to find.
For the last few days I have been feeling a bit sad. Down in the dumps. Ever so slightly.
I know why too.
It’s the nonverbal part of my son’s autism. 99% of the time it doesn’t phase me. But there are some parts that still sting. Even 9 years in.
Like when I say ‘I love you’ a dozen times a day to my boys and one doesn’t respond.
In the morning. When they leave for school. When they do cute things. When I tuck them into bed at night.
And only one boy says it back. The other one has never responded. I say it to him extra. I ask him if he understands how truly loved he is. I ask him to sign yes or no. Just to make sure he understands.
I like to think he does. I tell myself he knows.
But I’ve never heard the words. Some days, it stings. I’ll let myself think about living a life never hearing them. And even the most well adjusted mother can sink a little bit.
But then I see the photo he has been carrying around. It’s me and him. My favorite photo of us.
He knows I love him. I know he knows.
Love needs no words.
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.
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