It is so amazing to me how much I learn when I take time to listen to what those with profound disabilities have to say. They may not speak a word, but they speak volumes. Aaron has a sense of humor that never ceases to amaze me. He seems to have a connection to God that we can only strive for. Our "intellect" so often gets in the way of what should be our childlike faith...
And then there is Elijah. In an autistic world that is so mysterious at times, I so long to be able to get inside his head to experience his world..to better understand why he does what he does so much of the time. Elijah is just learning to speak. At 3 1/2 years old, it is difficult to watch how hard it is for him to form words and to communicate what he wants and needs.
But this morning, he decided something without us prompting or helping him. I asked him what his name is and he proudly said "BOB"...I word he can actually say as opposed to his actual name of Elijah which is not an easy word to say if you are autistic and apraxic. All morning, he has been calling himself "Bob" and chuckling everytime he says it.
Wow...that is all I can say. I don't know if you can feel the same amazement that I have felt this morning..but this is so incredible on so many levels. I feel like I am getting a glimpse of my little boy in a way I have never before. And after shedding some bittersweet tears filled with joy, love, compassion, and sadness...
I will be proud to call him "Bob....."
