How They Grow...

He is twelve. As of last week, he is twelve. My first born, child of my soul, my Aspie son, is no longer a little boy, he is a young man. I watch, dazzled by his beautiful heart and incredible mind; I sit and listen, inspired by his other worldy imagination, moved by his compassion. I laugh out loud, huge deep gurgles from deep in my belly, as he unleashes his wit and profoundly dry sense of humour at the most unexpected times. My son, my child, my love, my lifeblood. My boy.

His is an old soul, it became obvious to all within weeks of his birth. The gorgeous amber eyes seemed to bore deep past the outer image into the very core of your soul.

Boy 1 six weeks of age

And as he has grown so too his ability to put thoughts into words blossomed.

Boy 1 - 15 months

His forthright honesty has affected the most toughened of characters. At karate the then six year old walked up to his instructor at the completion of a class. He laid the palm of his hand gently on her heart, gazed intensely into her eyes and told her "You have one of the most beautiful souls, you are so beautiful on the inside you make my heart happy..." This slightly plump, average in appearance, outwardly stern woman was reduced to tears. She turned to us, all rather gobsmacked by his words, tracks running down her cheeks, barely able to speak. She managed to dazedly stammer out "I have never had such a heartfelt, touching compliment. Your son is an amazing young man" before walking away, wiping the wetness from her face.

 Boy 1 aged 5 years old

I pray he keeps this purity, this honesty and the wonderful ability to see even the deepest, most truly buried goodness in people. I know he still has it now, on the cusp of teenagerhood.

My son, no longer a child, standing poised on the threshold of becoming a young man. One day I am going to tell his story, shout it to the world, write his tale for all to behold. It will not be a story of miraculous cures, of crystals and dogs, of horses and travels. It will be the story of a little boy with a strong heart, and the ability to inspire all who cross his path. The journey of a boy overcoming a dark prognosis, fighting his personal battles with the courage of a warrior, wanting only to become the best he can be.

I love you son, to quote our favourite story:

"I love you forever,

I like you for always,

As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

Robert Munsch 2003 Love You Forever