Big Wins

Dear Addie,

Let’s be honest, Gatorade has practically been our new best friend these last couple of months. So when the store only had the giant bottles, we poured half into a glass to make sure it would stay our best friend… and not end up at the bottom of a mop bucket. Food and drink intake are a delicate balance these days, but I digress.

Thanksgiving Day, our little party of five sat together watching the Macy’s parade (one of my favorite holiday traditions) when I looked over at you, sipping from the glass we had poured the night before and tucked into the fridge. I suddenly felt emotional. I know what you’re thinking...Good grief, Mom. Stop. That’s weird.

But you see, Ad… I didn’t see a soon-to-be 15-year-old drinking from a cup. I saw hard work. I saw persistence. I saw patience. I saw every step you’ve taken and every challenge you’ve pushed through held in that one simple moment, in every sip you took right before my eyes as if it was the first time.

Weird? Maybe, but allow me to explain.

Here’s the thing, this journey comes with a unique aspect of parenting where celebrating the very smallest milestones feels like ringing in the New Year. Now, don’t get me wrong, it's not that other parents don’t celebrate their children’s achievements in great ways...that's 100% not what I'm saying, it’s just in our little autism world, we often find ourselves waiting years for things that often come so naturally to others. The waiting is filled with hours of therapy, perseverance, and a kind of patience that stretches you in ways you never expected. We learn terms we never imagined we’d need to know like a “J-hook” when feeding. For the record, you still haven’t mastered it yet, but I know you’ll get there. In the meantime, you’ve perfected what I lovingly coined the “scoop-and-flip” method, and honestly, it’s wildly impressive to watch. But where was I, oh yes, drinking...

Off the top of my head, I can remember exactly when all three of you took your first steps and even where we were when each moment happened. But if you asked me when your big sister or brother first drank from a cup, I’d have to dig through a baby book to find the date.

But you, baby girl, I remember yours without hesitation. You were 5 years old, and we were at the Mason Jar Tavern having lunch with Nana when you ever so quietly, spontaneously lifted a water cup and drank on your own, I cried. It was such a special moment, filled with more emotions than I knew what to do with.

Addie, this week we celebrated Thanksgiving, and as I watched you do something most people wouldn’t give a second thought to, I was reminded of just how grateful I am for the little things that feel like big wins and for the long, hardworking journey it took to get there.

Happy Thanksgiving Ad. Thanks for the reminder, keep working hard.

Love,

Mom