I remember it clearly like it was yesterday. We were hosting a dear friend from Michigan for a week, and the house was abuzz with activities, cooking, laughter, chatter and plans of multiple road trips to show off our precious Jewel, Belize. Yep, we were way off-track from structure and routine, which I must admit actually happens more than 50% of the time. Boy, do we ever struggle with routine…still a work in progress.
Jesus Bigger by Prodigal Son was blasting in the kitchen as I worked up a batch of my yummy Guyanese pinetarts. In walks Eric, hands in the air, his body jerking to the beat. In his own adorable rhythm, he prompts me to engage with him in dance as I encouraged him with the words: “Dance, baby, dance!”
In His Own Time
It took six years for me to see my baby dance for the first time; and not just dance, but understand the word in its rightful context. Autism defined in its simplest form is, “developmental delay.” Thus, some of our babies tend to do things later than neurotypical children, and in some instances, they may never be able to accomplish other things like riding a bike, playing a sport or baking a cake.
So, we learn to pace ourselves with their timing with tons of patience mixed with hope, love and understanding.
Step by step. I can’t think of any other way of accomplishing anything. – Michael Jordan
Dance, baby, dance to your pace of life!
Celebrating the “Little Things”
What caused this unforgettable dance? Only heaven knows; maybe it was the buzz of the house; maybe our dear friend’s visit ignited a spark (as those two were pretty chummy together.) But whatever it was, I cannot describe the overwhelming joy I felt. One might say it is just a dance, but here is the thing. As parents of autistic children, in our journey we learn to celebrate every little thing that may be deemed petty or insignificant, as such “little things” may be the beginning of something new or just a fleeting moment never to be recaptured.
So, we humbly ask that you bear with us if we are overjoyed by the “little things,” as these are the moments we live for, that bear fruit to all our, sweat, blood and tears.
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault
Dance, baby, dance to your rhythm of life!
