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.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Proposal

Today is our twentieth anniversary of our engagement party. Yes, we invited over 800 of our closest friends for this special event. NOT. Twenty years ago Mike asked me to marry him in front of these 800+ people at our employer's Christmas party. He pulled me on stage, got down on one knee, and proposed. Guts.

I had no idea that he had already asked my parents for my "hand in marriage". On the other hand, he did not know that I had already purchased a wedding dress two weeks prior, accompanied by my mom. (Thanks, Aunt Barb, for that inspirational story of your purchase before the proposal.)

My parents must have had a good laugh knowing that they were privy to the secrets that Mike and I had from each other. By the way, my parents did give their consent.

I did say yes. I would have said yes, even if I did not have that wedding dress. That was too funny.

So on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception for the last twenty years, it has been nice to be able to go to Mass and take a few, peaceful minutes to be thankful for the blessings given us.


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