A is for Apples.... and Autism

[specmomsolution]

It was a crisp Sunday morning.... the leaves were glowing through the misty morning sun..winking over the blue mountains..

Driving..........We drove about an hour into Massachusetts with family..chatting in the car.

"Is NASCAR on yet?"...piped my son's voice from the backseat.."Not yet " I replied, about a dozen times"  the races will be on at 2 o'clock"   after a pause..   we were laughing again as I rolled down the windows and turned on the heat..

 "OH NO! we missed NASCAR! "piped the voice again panic in his eyes.......

Looking at the clock I reply ,"it is 11 o'clock races are at 2 o'clock .. we have  plenty of time to pick apples , have a picnic.AND listen to NASCAR."

We arrived with great expectations..and me without cash...but thankfuly they accepted our check and off we went picking..

"NASCAR! I missed NASCAR a shrill voice arose." I glance at the cell phone..."see it is 11:30..is that NASCAR time?"  " No." Came the strained voice "It is not time yet. LOOK! There is a LEER JET!" My bright son points to the sky excitedly. Then continues to fill his bag with bright fruit.

Our Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, weave in and out of the trees...it is a bountiful harvest for all...smiles all around. By now the sun has burned off the fog and warms our skin and the sight of our family...togetherness...warms my heart...we belong here for a moment.We cover  about three rows of trees..kids crawling everywhere.Apples crunching.

 "NASCAR! Is on we missed the opening ceremony!" The sound voilently slams me  back to reality..........  "MOM I missed NASCAR! I'll never watch it again!!!" My son cries..his adolescent body full of tension..like he is ready to run. So sad.

I reassure him.."Look at the time , see it is noon  we will have a picnic lunch here and at 2 o'clock we will tune the radio in to the NASCAR channel. I see relief flood his face. But he does not play with the kids presently...he is unsure if  he plays..he will miss NASCAR.

I hear laughing...Looking... I see the bulk of a grown man in a red radioflyer wagon..his arms and legs waving about as a small crowd on young onlookers gleefully wheel him about...A team...these young children work as a team..like one body to reach a common goal..."Push Uncle Mike up the green grassy hill!!" ...in the little red wagon that could.....

This catches my son's attention...he runs to join them, by the time he reaches them they are taking turns fitting as many kids as they can in that wagon...and pulling them about...trying to see who is the strongest.

Sandwiches are passed out and blankets spread about for our picnic...  "NASCAR! I missed NASCAR!"We are now hearing more frequently...again I show him the time...I get in the car to look for the station in Massachuesettes....I hear static, I hear commercials, I hear music...no NASCAR!

My son is pacing now along the car..some family members try a little small talk to help calm/distract him.. there is a phone call ...to be sure I have the correct station on the radio..all is NOT well..my mirage fades...back to reality....Autism is now sitting beside me and  growing in the car...and it wants to explode...I ask family if they have satellite radio...one does THANKFULLY...he is gracious, and forfeits his football game for our son's NASCAR...he rocks in his seat..there is sweat on his brow...he cries.."I missed NASCAR!I missed the opening ceremony!!"

The commercials are over...he misses the opening ceremony...he decides to make up his own...since the commercials took up the time slot for the opening ceremony...the disaster has been diverted..but tension still shows in his face..I have lost him to his thoughts,.. NASCAR has him now.. Family speaks to him about the race occasionally..but he has little focus...he is listening to NASCAR...not us.

He stays in the car for the rest of the picking party...even the  bakery ..he rides back to our Aunts house In this car NASCAR blaring...Bless my family...all trying intermittenly to include him and talk to him about his interest in NASCAR.

We arrive....he stays inside to watch the remaining 200 laps... For a short period the kids join him...but they lose intrest after awhile..the kids want to  play outside on this warm autumn day.. The swings creak and balls are thrown..........cousins occasionally ask  if he would like to join them...but NASCAR is his playmate now.

After awhile  families are leaving to do homework, clean rooms and get ready for the coming school week..NACAR is over..but everyone is going home.I am going to work...I am tired..but still feel strangely relieved...I am still a part of something.....FAMILY.

[sunflowerfreak]

Sep. 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM

Isn't family great!!! That's was great to hear they were trying to help you out in your time of need. 

[alanna333]

Mar. 12, 2009 at 1:34 PM

A truly beautiful sentiment in that story. . . family. I know how hard it can be to feel like you are part of one when your child is different. Questions have been recently raised about whether or not my child 'suffers' from a Pervasive Developmental Disorder. I personally think he's bright and wonderfully perfect.  However different he may be. Anyway just wanted to say that I appreciated your story and that it was beautifully written!