Autism OZ is now Autism World Magazine and Kyle is on the cover of the July Edition.

Would love to hear your thoughts on my article "To Separate or Not to Separate". (below)

"We've just published the July Issue of "Autism World Magazine," the most innovative global magazine supporting all those across the autism world. Available now to purchase via: http://www.autismoz.com/purchase-2/You can try the magazine for just $1 without monthly subscription plan. Works with iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macs, Windows and Androids. Our contributors are real parents, adults on the spectrum, therapists, scientists and caregivers living courageous lives on the front lines of autism daily. They share their experiences, wisdom, laughter and pain so others won’t feel alone and overwhelmed."

~~Iain Croft, Editor

 REWIND....

 1- Monday evening my husband was in extreme pain. In protecting his privacy, I will say it was potentially serious, but also something that can be fixed.

 2- I was up with him during the night. I called Tammy early in the morning on an emergency basis for her to come get Kyle ready for his program so I could tend to my husband. Thank goodness she could. Later that day I took him to the emergency room.

 3- I was there for my husband in the ER as comfort, support and a second voice when communicating with doctors. He was later admitted to the hospital. I'm so grateful for the excellent support of Kyle's team who had him covered for as long as I needed them. I had two offers to stay with him overnight however I decided to come home to sleep.

 4- Long days at the hospital by my husband's side. Two poor sleep nights stacked up on the first one. Grateful that Kyle was in a good place.

5- My husband came home on Thursday (hurray!) and on that same day Kyle clicked into another partial cycle only a week after the previous one ended. This is number 3 in the last few weeks.

 6- A candle was left burning in Kyle's room last night. Fortunately, I think it burned out before he got his hands on it. Healing scented wax was dried on his hands, feet, and the laminate wood floor all over his room when I showed up to check on him this morning. The candle was under the bed. He did not set his room on fire. Thank goodness. Always something to be grateful for. And now the room will smell really good for a long time. I'm aware that some people get to start their morning brushing their teeth, meditating, and sipping a cup of coffee or tea, perhaps while reading the paper. I go for excitement. :-)

 7- By the time Tammy arrived at 9:30 AM to help with Kyle, I was tipped far past my edge  even though Neil stepped up to clean Kyle's waxy room. Kyle was a handful all morning. I had not found my equilibrium from the hospital stuff and scare about my husband and I was feeling even further off balance by Kyle. Not just the actual moment to moment, but trying to figure out what our next step should be with this drastic change in his health.

 Yoga is my salvation. Seriously, I don't know how I would or could maintain my sanity without it. Just walking into the studio from the 117 degree parking lot, (no exaggeration, this is Phoenix), and immediately, my stress level began to drop. Moving through the postures, working at my edge but not beyond, listening to my body, focusing on my breath, I healed myself one centimeter at a time. Ninety minutes later, a different person emerged from the studio. This was one of the most dramatic shifts I've ever experienced in my 21 years of yoga practice.

 When I arrived home, Kyle had not changed. However, I certainly did.

 TGFY: Thank Goodness For Yoga

PS I had another article in Autism OZ this month and just realized I never posted it. Click on the magazine cover below to view....

Child's pose plus five deep breaths is awesome especially if you have limited time and low energy.

There are challenges and there are CHALLENGES. Where should I start? Perhaps, with a hello. I know, it's been awhile and June is nearly over and I have not shared my June challenge yet. I'm sure you've been on the edge of your seats waiting to find out. Or perhaps you've given up on me altogether. Maybe my stuff has fallen into the internet abyss with all the rest. Whatever. It's all good. (Actually I'm not really fond of that expression, but it seems appropriate here.)

And the June challenge? Yes, I am still keeping up with this challenge mania. I believe it has helped keep me sane in the midst of the other challenges, sometimes unwelcome, that life has tossed my way.

About six years ago, I restarted the piano lessons of my childhood. I still have my Steinway upright which was also my mother's childhood piano. I struggle (big time) with being consistent in playing/practicing. I really enjoy it when I do. And there are so many positive side effects such as complete immersion in the present moment and the joy of music.  For some reason, I just find myself resistant to sitting down to play.

My June challenge has been to show up at the piano at least once a day. Doesn't matter how long I practice, I just aim to play at least one thing. That's really all it takes to get me going. Take the first step. Hmmm.. does that sound familiar?

Thus far I am 21/22 and it has felt really great. I love going to my weekly lesson with confidence that I have made a little bit of progress. As a side benefit, Kyle really enjoys listening. And this fits right into his June challenge which is to do some drumming every day. Sometimes, he drums along with me. Yup, I am inflicting my challenge craze on my offspring. My daughter, Leah, has been taking the challenge challenge since January.

And then there are CHALLENGES. The uninvited ones which  show up on life's doorstep. There are  alternate names for them like trouble or struggles.  After 13 1/2 months of 'quality of life bliss', Kyle has recently had a couple of cycles. For the most part, they have been "partial" or "lite" and not debilitating. However, the last 24 hours of the previous partial went full blown into the debilitating category. The switch flipped on rather suddenly. And thank goodness, it also flipped off with the same suddenness. Both times, we stood by, like a deer in the headlights, in a state of shock.

Needless to say, we were very grateful for the short duration and at the same time, very concerned about the sudden change. It took Kyle a few days to recuperate from the trauma of it all. I stayed strong, compassionate, and focused on action. Then, after it was all over,  I got sick. I guess holding it together takes its toll.

I am gathering tools for my "what to do next" toolbox. Increasing his Agape vitamin (see Agape blog) has been the easiest and most logical step to take. This is what we did in the middle of the recent 24 hour debiliitating period. Its hard to be certain whether that was the cause of its abrupt halt or whether it was going to happen anyway. Time will tell. Maybe.

My friend  and coauthor, Kathy kindly reminded me via text: "And the journey continues." So it does. One day, step, moment at a time. Walk on.

~~~~~~

Me? No, but perhaps if I practice a little more??