My children are my best life teachers. Charlie, in particular, has stretched and humbled me. Partly because he's my first child and I'm learning as I go, but partly because of who he is- an extremely bright, capable, curious, creative, active, strong little person who also happens to have autism.
I remarked to my therapist the other day that in their own ways, my children are each my favorite. I'm sure that feeling is familiar to other parents. My relationship with each kid is so unique and poignant in its own way.
The reason Charlie is my "favorite" is because our relationship is so hard won. We are fiercely bonded. Our highs are soaring and our lows are devastating. We are so similar in some ways- our need for physical touch to connect, our stubbornness, our hot tempers, our tender hearts. I speak that language of his fluently, because it is how I operate, too. He has other traits that I don't understand as easily. I have come to know that part of him by observation, as an outsider. He is analytical, scientific, and mathematical, often solving complex problems in his head. He's creative, building complex and unique things out of unexpected mediums. This week alone he has made a tornado out of aluminum foil, a camera out of LEGO, and giant zombie sculptures blocks in his Minecraft video game.
I feel so lucky to be his mom.
