The Most Memorable Moments

I’ve learned as I’ve aged that the biggest, most memorable moments of our lives, are often the ones we least expect.

Of course a wedding, the birth of our babies, an anniversary, are the best.

But other ones sneak in. When you least expect them.

A solo car ride with your son.

A walk with your parent.

Staying up way too late drinking wine with your husband.

Coffee with a friend.

Or when your first born watches his first ever movie, start to finish, with your family on movie night.

Cooper is ten and he prefers his own shows. The ones he loves.

Sometimes he will sit near our family. On the floor. Watching his own shows.

Never glancing at the tv or laughing at the humor. Near but far too.

But not tonight. Tonight was different.

He asked for a bowl of popcorn, which is brand new!

He carried his blanket downstairs.

He picked his seat.

And he watched ALL, and I mean all of the new Home Alone on Disney+.

He laughed so hard he rolled and ran to his brothers to high five them.

He laughed so hard that his dad and I made eye contact and smiled, never saying a word. Both of us thinking the same thing.

This. Is. Amazing.

See, we have settled into autism. Into our son’s autism. We have this comfortable groove where very little surprises us these days.

But one hard part, the one that we feel the most, is the missing him part.

We want him with our family. Present. Engaged. Joyful. It can’t be forced. We know that. So we wait. Patiently.

We let him grow and learn and we all adapt.

Near but far is usually what we get. And that’s a blessing. We know that.

But not tonight.

‘Cooper’s laughing mama. Do you hear him! He likes it!’ — Harbor, our 3 year old son.

I highly recommend the new Home Alone movie. It’s adorable.

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.