This weekend my 12-year old son, Charlie, won an award for Little League. I felt so happy, watching him walk onto the field in his orange uniform, with his shoulders squared and his head held high. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my other son Jack jumping and hopping with his […]
I know, I know. I haven’t been to church in a while. Yet I pray to you every day. My prayers are short, and to the point. In fact, I usually just say one thing. Please, show me the way. I mean a lot of things by this. I mean show me the way with […]
Last week, I read an article about a teenage boy who took a girl to the prom. It was squashed between an announcement about the royal wedding and some pictures of a hairless cat. At first glance, it didn’t seem particularly noteworthy. To tell you the truth, I almost scrolled right past it. Then I […]
Hi. My name is Carrie. I am forty-three years old. I am in decent shape. I exercise almost every day, and I don’t take medication, and I don’t have any medical issues. For the most part—aside from the occasional cold in the winter and monthly bouts of PMS—I am healthy. And yet, I often think […]
Last week, I stood behind you in line at Pier One. I was buying throw pillows. I overheard you chatting with the cashier about baseball and kids and school and whatever. I wasn’t really paying attention, but then I heard you say, “I told my kids, they better get all A’s or they can’t play.” […]
Hey there, Mama. I see you. I see you trying to put that jacket on wiggling spaghetti arms. I see you holding a flush-faced toddler in your lap at the doctor’s office. I watch you load your card with groceries while a little person trails behind you, begging for a balloon. I see you. I […]
Your birthday is coming up this week. I remember the day we brought you home from the hospital. I looked out of the car window while Daddy drove and I noticed how all the trees were sprouting small buds at the end of their branches. And the grass was so green, I couldn’t believe it. […]
One green, green day, the Lord looked upon the earth. He admired his sons and his daughters. He smiled at all of the wonderful animals, and he gazed tenderly at each new baby. The round blue earth, with all of its people and puppies and flowers and trees, seemed complete. But the Lord was not […]
Jack, you have something called high-functioning autism. This is very, very good. At thirteen, you talk. You can bathe yourself, and pick out your own clothes, and pack your lunch for school. You can go to a restaurant, and order from the menu, and for the most part—if it’s been a calm day and the […]
My son Jack is thirteen years old, and he has autism. His brain is wired in a different way. Because of this, he doesn’t read social cues or fully comprehend language or understand why you shouldn’t ask a woman if she is pregnant. On top of that, he is anxious. So people make him nervous. […]
