A Parent’s Connection Beyond Words
“Hey best buddy, do you want to play ball with L and I?” Andy asked, as Leo whizzed by, plopping himself firmly on the grass, contagious giggles roaring from deep within his belly.
I sat beside my boy, gently scratching his back, while he busily gathered grass and dirt, shuffling them between his fingertips, watching intently as the football whirled by him, back and forth between Andy and our young family member visiting.
A game of catch.
A past time often enjoyed by father and son; yet, not only challenging for Leo, but an activity he has shown little interest in over the years.
An audible squeal rang from my boy’s mouth, as he took my hands and placed them on his cheeks, his beaming smile on display, and sparkling eyes evidence of his joy in that moment.
And the cool breeze giving way to the sweet sounds of laughter bouncing off of each of us…
“Hey best buddy,” Andy spoke, as he approached…“Did you want to come kick the ball with Daddy?”
“Tickle?!” Leo requested, with conviction, tugging on Andy’s arms persistently…
“Tickles it is, Best Buddy. Tickles it is.”
As Andy and I lay in bed that evening, I hesitated asking the question that had been burrowed in my brain all afternoon.
“What’s wrong, babe? Something on your mind?” He asked, knowingly.
“You know how you were playing catch with L this afternoon?”
I began…“Do you ever wish you could do those types of things with Leo…Do you ever feel like you’re missing out, somehow?”
Barely a half second passed before he responded…
“Not at all. Throwing the ball around…things like that aren’t what connects him and I. I don’t ever feel like I’m missing out with him. It’s the opposite.”
His words…ones I knew to be true before spoken, yet reassuring nonetheless.
Our connection with Leo goes beyond words, language or throwing a football.
It is genuine, unique, and beautiful.
And perfect as is.
Written by, Ellie Whetzel
Ellie Whetzel is a wife, Mom, and blogger who writes about the ups, the downs, and everything in between of life with her extraordinary son, Leo, who is on the Autism Spectrum. You can follow their journey on FB at Life With Leo.
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