Autism: Sometimes it Really does Take a Village ... and a Little Nudge

I glanced at the Caller ID when the phone rang. It was 8:30-ish and I was attempting to answer some aging e-mails as Amy lingered, waiting for me to help her wash her hair. The call was from a friend down the street.

“What’s up?” I answered….

Sweet neighbor-friend was calling to talk to me about the Summer Snapper Swim Team (say that three times fast) that was starting the next day. She had mentioned it to me before as had a couple of other neighbor-friends. It was close, it was fun, it was good exercise … Lots of the kids in the neighborhood usually participated.

It would be a perfect summertime activity for Amy.

And I hadn’t even mentioned it to her….

When I looked over the registration form and schedule, I knew there was no way it would work. Practice at 3:45. Umm...Forget it. I’m sitting on 128 South that time of day, listening to “Talk of the Nation” on NPR, while Jack naps in the backseat.

“It would be a shame for Amy to miss out …” my sweet neighbor- friend prodded. “I’m glad to take her. And I know neighbor-friend two and neighbor-friend three would pitch in too.”

And there it was again.

Kindness.

I sighed to myself. Where would I be without it? I’ve been a recipient of it countless times since Jack was diagnosed.

I still feel a little uncomfortable giving into it. Like a walking imposition.

Warning. Avoid this woman. She might actually need something from you.

But for Amy’s sake, who am I kidding, for my sake, I’ve learned to just get over the whole pride thing. Sometimes we all need a hand.

We’ve had many over the last three beautiful, challenging years. Holding us up, helping us through …

So Amy went to Snappers today. And I smiled as I sat on 128 South listening to “Talk of the Nation” while Jack napped peacefully in the backseat.