Autism: Surviving and Thriving

Fourteen years ago my youngest 3 boys were diagnosed with autism within a 9 month span. Devastation and grieving followed. Doctors gave me little or no hope, but they didn't know me very well. I refused to believe that my boys were doomed.

My boys are now young men, adults with autism. They are thriving, but every day presents its turmoil and challenges.

My family: husband Mike, sons Ryan 23 yr, Nicholas 21 yr, and Cameron 18 yr. (Ryan and Nick have autism; Cam has recovered from autism.) Our oldest sons, Michael 34 yr and Stuart 25 yr, moved out of the house. Ryan has also moved out, and is still working towards complete independence.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Holy Trinity Simplified

Most Catholics would agree that the Holy Trinity is difficult to understand. Not my youngest. A year ago, my then eight-year-old, was asking questions about it. Like a good home schooling mom, I saw opportunity knocking, and approached the topic.

After a lengthy discussion, Cam informed me that I made this lesson too hard. This is how I should have explained it:

"The Holy Trinity is simple. There are three persons in one God. The Old Testament says that God names himself as the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob. There are three persons, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. There is one God for each person. God the Father for Abraham, God the Son for Isaac, and God the Holy Spirit for Jacob. They don't have to share 'their' God."

Today, Cam has a "better" understanding. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have to share God because there is only one God, not one for each. Obviously, Cam's understanding of the Holy Trinity is a work in progress, but then, so is mine.

photo credit: oddsock

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