The Longest Year

We looked up a couple of weeks ago and realized that it has now been one year since we recieved Sam's "diagnosis". What a long year that has been!

It's a mixed bag, really...we look at the year and it's easy to become very critical of ourselves. Have we done everything we can? Have we taken advantage of opportunities? At this early stage in his life, when his brain is the most elastic and malleable that it will ever be, have we seized every moment available to make it therapeutic for him?

On the other hand, I look back on the way he was then compared to now and rejoice at the improvements. He is much healthier. He can now say words without being prompted. When he is prompted he is much better at repeating them. He plays more. His receptive knowledge has grown tremendously. The other night when I put him to bed, I told him to say "night, night, dada" and he repeated immediately, "nie nie, da da". He couldn't do that a year ago.

We could stress out about every little thing and beat ourselves to death over what we don't do... we were more inclined to do this in the beginning. But the balance we try to find is this: seize opportunities and make plans BUT... allow God to lead us every step of the way. That means that there are times when we take a break from "autism" and simply enjoy our kids. Stop everything and love on them. Grace desperately needs that, and we do to, and Sam definitely needs it.

One year from now, Sam will be much farther along than he is now. We'll look back then and see how far he's come and be thankful then as well. Thank you for being part of it!