It’s 3:45 in the morning. He’s up so she’s up. Another early morning wake-up call courtesy of autism. He can’t tell time so when he wakes up he assumes it’s time to start his morning. She is so tired and weary, begging God to give her enough grace to make it through the day. Before Read More…
I’ve Been Robbed…So Thanks
Dear Autism and Cerebral Palsy I’ve been meaning to write to you for quite some time but thanks to you two, I’ve been pretty busy as you can imagine. Over the years I have cursed at you, yelled at you, cried at you, and tried my best to understand you. The more I Read More…
The Valentine Letter
No chocolates, no flowers, not even a card. I know you say to yourself “That’s OK, what I really wanted was a nap anyway.” But you didn’t get that either. The dishes still lay untouched in the sink. The baskets of unfolded clothes are stacked on top of each other like planes circling the airport. Read More…
It’s Over…Now What?
The Christmas decorations are crammed into a box in the back of the garage now. The mantle over the fireplace is devoid of the garland and ribbons that adorned it for the past month. The table decorations have been restored to their pre-Christmas centerpieces. The boxes have been recycled, the wrapping papers discarded, and Read More…
Love Came Down
I was completely broken. Not only was I broken, but I also didn’t even realize the severity of my brokenness. When I looked in the mirror I couldn’t see the wounds. I had learned to mask them from myself so I couldn’t notice them. But everyone else could. I was living in denial myself. If Read More…
The Christmas Gift for Mom
Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined this would happen. It certainly wasn’t the path she had planned out for her life. When she initially got the news she was stunned. After all, this pregnancy wasn’t even expected in the first place. But to then get the news that this child wouldn’t Read More…
Peter Pan…In Case You Wonder
Many people have speculated about why my book is entitled, “No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches.” I’ve been amused hearing from so many people who think it’s related to my son’s autism. But the book is really about finding God’s presence, and learning to discern from Him in the midst of our struggles and Read More…
The Caregiver’s Notebook
I’ve never done this on my blog before but I am so excited about my friend Jolene Philo’s new book that I asked her to share with my readers and our families about her new book. Many of you know Jolene from her wonderful site DifferentDream.com. I look forward to our family using her new Read More…
No More Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Ask any adult over 30 if they remember where they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, and almost everyone can tell you the answer. As the twin towers of New York City fell in a terrorist attack, I was passing through our den on the way to my home Read More…
25 Warnings Signs You’re Becoming A Vacant Dad
I don’t remember the first time I used the phrase “vacant dad.” As I interact daily within the special-needs community though, I am convinced that we have an epidemic of vacant dads. I call it the Vacant Dad Syndrome. What exactly is a “vacant dad?” There are two variations of Read More…