But indeed there are days - as long as I live to see another day, I see that as the opportunity to change statistics. Today of course is a good day, so my attitude is a reflection of my feelings.
If there is anything I realize, it's that in the heat of battle, when things are dismal, I need a record of when things aren't to help get me through, to remind me it isn't always bad.
Without people who are exceptional, my attitude would be much different. What makes for exceptional people? A lot of people like others who are famous, wealthy, etc. They hope it will either rub off or fall off. I am always suspicious of such folks, myself. In such an laborious if not unpopular life as I have, I am blessed with meeting some of the most amazing people on Earth. People who WITHOUT being asked, or being paid, or being recognized, or earning credit, reach out to us. These people stun me every time. And because of Zach's autism, we have met way more of these exceptional people than the average person.
Take last night as an extraordinary example. It was our Thursday night baseball game - through the Syracuse Challengers - a league based in the Little League for kids (and now adults too!) with disabilities. Some 450 kids get to wear a jersey, grab a bat, feel the dirt under their feet just as any other kid. The concept of this league, let alone the number it serves is just amazing. Run by families with special needs kids - they have been able to capitalize on the great intentions of ordinary folks to generously donate so that no one is turned away and no one has to pay to play.
But while the concept of the league along is amazing - it provided way more opportunity last evening than just my child's opportunity to play. Last night, 2 of my son's therapists - who did not know one another, who did not ask us, nor did we ask, showed up to watch him play.
The one therapist is about to move out of the area and I am sure has plenty to do to get ready. And he is a single young man who could probably find a lot more exciting venues to show up at then the 2 inning no score game of my son's. He included some baseball skills into his therapy with my son. And he even helped him to bat at 2 of his games.
The other therapist brought along her own family - her husband and son, age 1. Like having a full time job and a family of her own, and a newly walking child doesn't keep her crazy busy!
When I contemplate their attendance, I am blown away; all beliefs of people as being inherently selfish seem to be inaccurate.
And then there is Zach's aide. She has constantly encouraged me to have Zach do things I would otherwise be too wary of attempting. Things like going to the movies or out to dinner. We have had so much fun taking on the challenge of bringing Zach to such places knowing she was there as our safety net. And more often than not, he has risen to the occasion. She likely is unaware of how brave she has helped me to be.
And least not are the kids in Zach's class, who when given the opportunity, choose to spend their free time (playtime) to engage with Zach.
These people are the very people that help make me get up in the morning after a night of no sleep when the future is looking fairly dim. The motivation will always be to help and support Zach, but these people reinforce my efforts, which results in more opportunities and successes for my dear son. They are the ones who didn't need a special needs child of their own to recognize the needs and supports a family like ours has. I was not one of these people myself. I needed Zach to teach me those lessons. These people are gifts to the rest of us.
I live a very extraordinary life, even if it does involve the mundane or even tedious. Sometimes I actually feel bad for everybody else.
