A lot of the moms that I know feel a sense of sadness when summer comes to an end and it's time for their children to head back to school. I don't share those feelings. Summer break is hard on us. I count down the days to back to school and tonight it feels like Christmas Eve. I've even daydreamed of some sort of summer break advent calendar that has a glass of wine in it each night. I'm pretty sure they would sell like hot cakes.
This summer has been great in a lot of ways, as we've had success with some camping and had a few small trips with Landon that went well. However, I can safely say that things have never been as hard as they are now. It seems that he has regressed in some areas and his patience is very small. His temper is quick and explosive. I can be kissing his unbelievably soft cheeks one minute and then 10 minutes later be hit so hard across the face that I think he's broken my jaw. He's always had an aggressive streak in him but it's been so intense lately that we are pretty sure it's a side effect of his medication. We (us and a mental health Dr from children's hospital) are trying to figure that all out but it takes time. Thankfully he's not violent towards anyone else but me. It's exhausting but I know that Landon doesn't mean to hurt me, he just can't control himself. He's so sad when it's over and my heart breaks for him and the inner turmoil he must feel. I struggle with sharing how hard he is on me. I hate the idea of people thinking badly of him. I just love him so much.
I'm thankful that he still has the best sense of humor and can bring me so much joy in one minute to make up for all the other crap in the day. I am confident that it won't be like this forever and I'm still completely trusting that God has big plans for Landon's life. Right now though, I am over the moon that tomorrow he goes to school. So if someone could create that back to school wine calendar before next summer, that'd be great.
Esther I am so thankful to see the step of faith that you took and how you opened up about some of the sad realities you and your family are facing. It would take a lot of courage and trust to share some of these very personal struggles and behaviors of Landons. As your mom I see just how much love and patience you and Jay ( and Adrianah ) give to Landon hourly, even seconds after a lengthy and very aggressive struggle has just occurred. I can't count the times I have seen you and Jay slip away into a bathroom and come out with tell tale eyes. Yet both of you continue to give so much of your time to helping out at the church and get involved in everything else around you to meet the needs of others! I know you are cringing reading this right now because you put on a big brave smile and up until now have kept just how heavy of a burden you are carrying to yourselves. I feel relieved to know you have found a peace about speaking openly about the way it actually is. We as a family know how wonderful Landon is in so many ways, and so do many of your close friends. There is an ocean of difference between who Landon is and the results of a disease called Autism! Back to school today Hooorayy! I bet Landy is so happy to see Bob again but Bob ( and we know just how big a deal Bob is to Landon ) can't hold a candle to how happy he is when "mommy" comes to pick him up :)
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Esther... Your strength and humility can teach us all so much. You are such a wonderful mom...and by sharing your struggles you become a teacher too. Sending love ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this Esther... Your strength and humility can teach us all so much. You are such a wonderful mom...and by sharing your struggles you become a teacher too. Sending love ;)
ReplyDeleteOh my word, I truthfully have no idea how I stumbled on your blog, desperation perhaps but in 2018 I am reading all about a Blind, Autistic little boy with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and I might as well be reading about my 4 year old son, Noah. We are not alone...
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