Oh Henry, my sweet Henry. Where has the time gone? Sitting at your 6th grade graduation ceremony tonight just brought back so much emotion. I had to hold back the tears many times. The ceremony, you were so excited about the past week, put you into tears and upsetness. I am so sorry dear, you did not get any special awards like many of your friends. Some walked out with over 6 or more. I know you are so disapointed you didn't get any. I wish one day you will be able to see what I saw. I saw a little boy who couldn't talk, who bit himself and others, who needed so much therapy just to learn to speak and write with a pencil correctly. I saw a little boy who wasn't potty trained till 1st grade, who was in all special needs classes in the beginning years of school, who couldn't stand noises, lights, touch, or being hugged. I saw a boy who struggled every step of the way to communicate and to act like his peers. I your mom has seen the worse of times with you. Tonight, I saw all this along with the young man you are becoming. You have defied so many odds and look at you now. You have amazed all of us with your skills in areas you enjoy like technology, Boy Scouts especially. What ten year old goes away to Canada for over a week and has aspergers? You , my boy, you. You have earned 8 merit badges, not many can say that as a first year scout. You did learn to ride a 2 wheeler bike, you did learn to be more independent and even do the wash. Not many boys can do that at your age. We tried many things from karate, soccer, baseball, trumpet, you didn't stick with any of that. You will find you calling sometime. I know you will. I pray one day you will see all that you have accomplished instead of being sad because you didn't get any awards. I know it would have been nice to get something, but getting you to this point is more special than any piece of paper any of your friends got tonight. Don't get me wrong, I am happy for the kids that did get all the awards, but just seeing you be up there tonight is all the award I need.
At some point through the ceremony, I did feel a little jealous. What do those parents do so different that I don't to help their kids get that accomplished? Sure I felt inadaquate to some extent. I guess I spent too much time getting you through rages of anger, therapy, extra drs appointments, etc. Just helping you to keep your grades up to where they are is plenty of accomplishment. You will understand one day that all the work you have been doing is grade level, mainstreamed, and you did great seeings you are still one of the youngest kids in your class. That is a big deal knowing some of the older kids that do not have your problems can't even do that well. Well, Henry, I am so proud of you and I am ready to help you tackle thenext phase of your life, middle school. My prayer for you is that one day this will all make sense and that you will be proud of yourself as we are of you.
