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A New Year and Autism’s Auld Lang Syne
By Kristi | Published | No Comments
As 2024 comes to an end, self-reflection of this year has been an old acquaintance. Autism continues to amaze and empower, hones my advocacy skills and teaches me to look in directions I haven’t considered and at times overlooked. While this year was fraught with challenges and sorrows, I continue to find strength in a spectrum of auld lang syne.
Last year Jonathan moved into a residential house that supports adults with disabilities and behavioral needs. Bringing with it a myriad of new experiences and relationships- for all of us. Meeting and making new acquaintances, embracing change and letting go were all a part of the process. As I look back I’m proud of how well Jonathan adapted to the change and how quickly he forged new relationships. A year later, he has made friends and appears so at home with his independence and lifestyle.
There were many times when I felt autism would be a stumbling block or obstacle on the progressive path to adulthood. Truth be told, I realize more often than not the obstacle was my own fear, doubts or anxiety about autism thriving without me. This year has taught me to trust myself, Jonathan and others who have now entered his life. Some in a capacity once solely my own but now shared. It is a beautiful thing to witness both up close and personal and from a distance as well. It has given me a new perspective and lease on life with autism. We have spent so many years together learning from each other, fostering communication sometimes in very unconventional ways and loving through a lens of faith often unseen by the eye, but deeply rooted in the heart.
Life over the years with autism has been reminiscent of the song Auld Lang Syne. We two who’ve paddled the stream, from morning sun til night. The seas between us roared and swelled since the days of auld lang syne. It describes perfectly our journey thus far and those yet to come. For surely you will buy your cup and surely I’ll buy mine! We’ll take a cup of kindness yet for the sake of auld lang syne. At times the cup runneth over during predictability as well as uncertainty. It reminds us of the power of perseverance and determination. And to be grateful for the cup we have.
So as this year comes to an end, should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Remember all that the years have taught us, for the sake of auld lang syne.
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