Today, Will started his journey into the world of kindergarten, in the K-2 Autism classroom at Newton Lee Elementary.
Today, Will also went to a bus stop for the first time as the bus no longer picks him up or drop him off in the front yard of the house. This is a big change for Will. This is a big change for me. This is a big step forward.
While we were standing at the bus stop, I realized that this bus stop was just for Will as it was just the two of us standing there and waiting. We also saw lots of kids from the neighborhood gathering across the street from us. They were kindergarten-age students... I saw their proud parents taking pictures, talking to other parents, laughing, and being proud of their little munchkins. As I was watching them, I found myself wishing that we were on that side of the street... Wishing that Willie and I were part of that group.. Wishing that we were all talking amongst ourselves and our kids back and forth, full of excitement and hope. As I was thinking about it, I looked at Will and saw that he was happy to be just where he was. I also realized that while we were standing at the bus stop by ourselves, which felt a bit lonely to me, what really mattered was that Will was going to the same school as those kids, with the same goal to learn and be the best he can be.
Then a school bus appeared out of nowhere, stopping at the stop across the street. So we watched those excited and a bit scared students getting on the bus, as their parents kept snapping those unforgettable milestone photos. Then the bus left, and the parents slowly walked back to their houses.
Our bus still was not here.. Our bus was late.. Will started to get anxious.. I got anxious, too. "It's ok, Willie.. Our bus is coming.. It's just running a bit behind. I promise you, it will be here any minute now. "
Our bus was 30 minutes late.. But, it came, and that's what mattered. When the bus stopped, Will quickly grabbed his back pack and hopped on the bus with excitement -- I didn't even get a good-bye hug. :-) It's ok, I don't blame him a bit -- he had been waiting for a long time for that bus, so he was ready to go.
As I walked back to the house, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with pride and joy. My boy was on his way to his first day in kindergarten, on a school bus. With all of his sensory and anxiety issues, he waited patiently for his bus for 30 extra minutes, then he was still excited to ride the bus by himself, and he even remembered to take his back pack as he was running towards the bus.
Autism forces us to take a different route to most places in life.. Yet, what matters is that we all have the same destination - learn, excel and become the best we can be.
Today, Will also went to a bus stop for the first time as the bus no longer picks him up or drop him off in the front yard of the house. This is a big change for Will. This is a big change for me. This is a big step forward.
While we were standing at the bus stop, I realized that this bus stop was just for Will as it was just the two of us standing there and waiting. We also saw lots of kids from the neighborhood gathering across the street from us. They were kindergarten-age students... I saw their proud parents taking pictures, talking to other parents, laughing, and being proud of their little munchkins. As I was watching them, I found myself wishing that we were on that side of the street... Wishing that Willie and I were part of that group.. Wishing that we were all talking amongst ourselves and our kids back and forth, full of excitement and hope. As I was thinking about it, I looked at Will and saw that he was happy to be just where he was. I also realized that while we were standing at the bus stop by ourselves, which felt a bit lonely to me, what really mattered was that Will was going to the same school as those kids, with the same goal to learn and be the best he can be.
Then a school bus appeared out of nowhere, stopping at the stop across the street. So we watched those excited and a bit scared students getting on the bus, as their parents kept snapping those unforgettable milestone photos. Then the bus left, and the parents slowly walked back to their houses.
Our bus still was not here.. Our bus was late.. Will started to get anxious.. I got anxious, too. "It's ok, Willie.. Our bus is coming.. It's just running a bit behind. I promise you, it will be here any minute now. "
Our bus was 30 minutes late.. But, it came, and that's what mattered. When the bus stopped, Will quickly grabbed his back pack and hopped on the bus with excitement -- I didn't even get a good-bye hug. :-) It's ok, I don't blame him a bit -- he had been waiting for a long time for that bus, so he was ready to go.
As I walked back to the house, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with pride and joy. My boy was on his way to his first day in kindergarten, on a school bus. With all of his sensory and anxiety issues, he waited patiently for his bus for 30 extra minutes, then he was still excited to ride the bus by himself, and he even remembered to take his back pack as he was running towards the bus.
Autism forces us to take a different route to most places in life.. Yet, what matters is that we all have the same destination - learn, excel and become the best we can be.
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