Today Was Mae's Day

Three Princesses

Today we celebrated Mae's Birthday all afternoon. Uncle Buster, Sharon and cousin Jake came up from NH to join our first party of the afternoon. We booked space at a Bouncy House facility for Mae and her classmates. It was great seeing pigtails fly, big smiles and Mae play with her friends. I was thrilled when a couple who share a close connection with Mae showed up unexpectedly.

Our next celebration was with Mae's grown-up friends. Uncle Buster, Sharon and Jake made the transition smooth. I'm not used to having so many helping hands. Most everyone at Mae's birthday dinner party had been part of her baby welcoming ceremony. Dave observed that by the end of the evening she made a deliberate connection with everyone here.

Today was Mae's day.

It's Complicated

This morning I caught the last hour of an HBO documentary called "Autism:The Musical". The movie documents a group of autistic children as they write, rehearse and perform their own musical. The documentary includes interviews with parents. Watching it shook me up.

She's three now. People notice there is something different about her, but she's so little it isn't awkward yet. How will it be when she's fourteen? I'm also scared about her being vulnerable when she becomes independent. Predators choose easy victims.

Alongside my fears, I received awareness. She'll be four in 11 days. Inside her is a developing four-year-old brain. I believe she receives information like a four-year-old. She wants things a four-year-old wants. Tonight we went to a family dance at her school. She watched as everyone played a Simon Says type of game. I explained the rules to her and told her she could play if she wanted to. My heart swelled when she did.

Just Look At Her

There are days she needs to do things a certain way and it's a royal pain trying to figure her out. Thankfully we know about her autism. Now we celebrate her becoming a four-year-old girl, whatever challenges that may bring for us.