Stephen's Autism Journal

Monday, November 24, 2008

Stephen during our Thanksgiving on Sunday

Debbie at the Restaurant

Stephen Group Home Neighborhood Picture 1

Stephen Group Home Neighborhood Picture 2

Is There Any Turkey on the Kid's Menu??

Sunday, November 2, 2008

More Favorite Family Photos from 2007 and 2008

I'm the boss

Jumping

Daddy helping Stephen on his bike

More fun with Mom

Thanks Stephen for the birthday present :)

More Pictures from 11-02-2008

Mom at home and feeling better

John and Debbie

Stephen on the slide

Stephen at the park

Jeff and Mom

Family Visit and Stephen Visit 11-02-2008

Debbie relaxes in "the pit" at my parents house

Oh my gosh, it's really Dad's birthday!

I miss Stephen, when is he coming home??

Presents for the guy who is 49

Christmas 2008 Picture? Could be.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

My friend Mike is going through some grief due to the loss of his 40 year-old sister Randi. I have had tearful conversations with Mike as he told me how much Randi meant to him. He also has made a unique request, to tell him about my feelings of grief when Stephen first left our home and into an institution 18 months ago. He is curious how our family got through it. It wasn't easy at all. It was sort of like a death in the family.

I guess my biggest advice to Mike would be to think positively and feel lucky for all the good times you had with this individual. I want him to have hope that he can hold Randi close to his heart and that will strengthen him. I hold Stephen close to my heart when he is away and it is powerful. The love I have for my son can get me through the toughest days. I can hear his laugh, I can picture his smile and I can feel the positive vibes of his soul very close to my soul. That is strong and it is lasting and it is very very human. I would encourage my friend Mike to tune into that, write guitar songs about it and feel lucky every day that he knew Randi's smile and her beautiful presence.

BTW...Mike has started to write a song about Randi. This is a very intelligent way, I think, of aiding the healing process in a very creative manner. I find that music can be such an inspirational healing mechanism. Try it sometime. It works!

Friday, October 24, 2008

More Thoughts About Last Weekend

Debbie and I are still talking about the weekend of togetherness we experienced with our now 12 year-old special needs son Stephen.

One memory that was painful, though, was when we dropped him off at the group home on Sunday night. Tears came down as we said "Bye Bye." That was tough because we were reminded of the connection he feels with us, and the impossibility of him coming back home right now. He definitely knows who Mommy and Daddy are. According to the group home, he was teary eyed for a little bit then got redirected into another activity. Even though there is a vague awareness of Mom and Dad, the awarness is what counts. We are happy and thankful for that. This Thanksgiving we will give thanks for two healthy and happy boys who we love very much :)