There has always been a schism of sorts. A feeling of a divide in our family. Us and the girls. Us and Kyle. The girls and Kyle? Not so much.
This family dynamic was put in motion very early when Kyle’s 1:1 therapy took place in his bedroom. Hours, days, and years ticked by. The girls were out having a life. Kyle’s life was in his room. Small. There was a method to the madness which made sense for awhile. As years went on, it stopped feeling like the thing to do.
My kids are adults now. Kyle has a life outside his room. Thank goodness. The girls are out on their own in different states living their lives. Kyle still lives at home.
Leah is a singer and Kyle listens to her music all the time.
Despite a busy evening and last minute guitar restring, she kept her promise to serenade Kyle.
His birthday gift
A concert for one
By one
10:30 PM
As a music lover, Kyle soaked it up.
As a person with autism, his outer response was not immediately visible.
But when she finished the first song, his grin was priceless.
A moment for Kyle
A moment for Leah
A moment for me
A precious connection point
Leah giving, Kyle receiving
Me observing, feeling
Sweetness filled the room
A string of slow motion moments
As exhausted as I was, I felt that place inside all of us.
Connecting
It looks to me like this is where life’s elixir resides.
Weeks later, I’m still smiling inside.
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