To the Mom and Dad of the red-headed teenager on the Autism Spectrum oustide Little Caeser's on Friday and to your son...
Thank you for raising your son right.
I climbed awkwardly into my big van on a dark night, 3 pizzas in hand, stepping gingerly over the groceries on the floor so I could reach my little one and buckle her in. I felt somebody watching me and honestly, at first I was a little creeped out.
My day had not gone as I had envisioned it. My shopping was unsuccessful. My little ones, too distracted by all the Christmas buzz, slowed things down to a halt and the stores didn't have what I was looking for. I hadn't made it home in time to make dinner, thus the pizza, and I was feeling overwhelmed and under-able to finish things or even to just slow down enough to enjoy Christmas with my family. After all... a lot rides on the moms this time of year to ensure a joyful holiday for the whole family. I just wanted to be at home, making cookies and laughing in the kitchen with my kids. Instead I was buying pizza, stuck in traffic, unsuccessful, defeated, and tired.
Your son was watching me. He wanted to do something to help, but he didn't know what. So he came over and stood at the car door I had left open, behind me, and called out, "Must be kind of hard, huh? I was just thinking it's hard to get back there to buckle her in." At first I thought, who the heck is standing at my door behind me, in the dark, and talking to me. Am I about to get mugged?
I took a second look as he called out to me again, repeating himself. He waited for me to sit down and then tried to smile, looking at me compassionately, as he held out his fist steadily in the air. He waited. Still holding it out. I realized he wanted a fist bump and that his heart was genuine. I reached out and bumped his fist. He smiled again and walked away.
I shut the car door and I cried all the way home. I wished I had had more to give back to him. I was too caught up in my own small problems that I didn't notice him or his needs. But he, ignoring all silly societal protocol, followed his heart, listened to a prompting from God and reached out to me. My burdens were lightened and I felt loved.
This was my Christmas gift from this young man, and from God. God cares about us, even in the little things. He cares about even little ole' me. He sent His son, a newborn babe, to bring us that great message of Love and redemption. No matter what we've done, no matter what kind of sins we've committed, no matter what kind of bad day we have had, He loves us and reaches out to us. He holds out his hand, just like this young mans, and he'll hold it there until we are ready to reach back and receive His gift.
Thank you young man. And thank you to your Mom and Dad for raising you to love. And to all the other moms and dads who are doing the same, hang in there, and thank you for raising such beautiful souls. You are loved and appreciated, even when we forget to say it.
Merrry Christmas everyone.
