One of the things about having a son with Autism is that life is black and white. With KB there will often be a flutter of the lashes, a change of her mind on a choice – she lives in shades of yellows, pinks, and blues right now. Bubba is all black and white.

This morning the hall light clicked on at 4:44AM and I heard a grunt outside our door. I opened the door to find Bubba already heading into the room. He walked straight to the bathroom but I think that was because he was still half asleep. I asked, “Do you need to potty?” and he answered, “no.” I don’t know why I did what I did next – we aren’t a real “sleep in the same bed” family – but I told him to climb up and he laid down and fell asleep.

15 min. later he woke up and said, “But I am so hot.” I pulled his shirt off and he fell back to sleep.

30 min. later he woke up and said, “I need a trash can.”

At this point I realized what was happening. Bubba didn’t eat dinner last night. He was so tired he wouldn’t eat and asked to go to bed. I am sure that he was so hungry. I took him downstairs, gave him a pop-tart, and asked if he wanted to go back to sleep. His response? “Yes.” And he crawled up, laid down, and was out.

Little was upstairs making up for the lack of emotion in Bub’s responses but crying out, “I want to get up. I am so sad. I need to talk to you. My cousins are gone and I am sad.” Turns out she thought her cousins (who arrived yesterday) had already left to go back to Memom’s when, in actuality, they are only down the road at a hotel. Once she realized that she would indeed have more time with E and A, she was content to settle in with a book.

Yesterday the children choirs led worship at our church. We’ve been talking about it for weeks at our house because it was Bubba’s first time to participate and well, we know what happened last time Little “sang” with the choir. Honey and I were positioned up front and on the aisle so that we could have easy access if a rescue were required.

They did GREAT. The leaders put Little and Bubba right beside each other and I think that made a difference in their comfort level – – although they don’t look the least bit aware of each other. Bubba sang every word and Little did interpretive dance throughout. Watching my two little ones with special brains do something like this is always cause to worship for me.

After the singing was over they filed off the risers and out to children’s church – everyone but Bubba filed. He walked to the edge of the stage and jumped down. Landed on his knees. Stood up and grinned at everyone and walked out. I missed it but Honey said it was hilarious. (and worshipful, I’m sure.)

“More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. That equates to nearly 9 billion pieces – enough to circle the moon nearly 21 times if laid end-to-end.”

Woman’s Day
October 6, 2009