Celebrate Successes Often

I just attended a wonderful annual event called the Birthday Party for Jesus. It’s an event that is sponsored by our home schooling group. Every year the kids get to show off their wonderful skills of whatever they wish to “give” to Jesus.

This year many children recited poems, sang songs, and played instruments. It definitely reminded me of The Little Drummer Boy, when he arrived at the feet of the Baby Jesus and had nothing of material worth to give. However, he showed his love for the Babe through his talent of music through the drum. These children gave of themselves; whether timid or bold, they shared a priceless treasure.

My youngest four sons participated, including my two autistic sons, Ryan and Nicholas, as they have done for the last three years. They all played the piano, with varying success, but they played. As a music teacher, I was so focused on “how well” they played that I wasn’t “mom” and simply enjoyed that they played. It took three different mothers to tell me how much they enjoyed my sons’ playing to make me realize how critical I can be rather than enjoying the simple pleasure of their talents.

These admirable ladies also remarked on how my autistic sons have progressed over the last three years. Mrs. L reminded me that Ryan didn’t even participate three years ago, although he was prepared. He simply would not do it. I totally forgot that. Mrs. S expressed how much progress Ryan has made in the last two years. She relayed that Ryan talks and joins in the activities with the other teens when he visits on Teen Night. It was Mrs. P who enlightened me that whatever I may know about the musical score, that to everyone else, it was music, and they enjoyed it. My sons, including the ones with autism, were successful.

I found myself absolutely surprised. How could I forget those small steps of success? The successes are so few, but monumental. I can only think that those successes are overshadowed by the daily turmoil of endless therapies and redundant lessons. Every parent of a special-needs child knows that every success celebrates the result of hard work, but it is quickly replaced with another goal. Being able to answer with one word is replaced by being able to answer with two words. Being a parent of kids, let alone autistic kids, offers endless tasks of teaching them everything they need to live, but we really have to celebrate those victories. And remember them.

Thanks to Mrs. L, Mrs. S, and Mrs. P. Thank you very much!

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