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(Editor\u2019s note: I run this piece every year, it just seems to sum up everything. I hope you enjoy it!)<\/em><\/p>\n We made a gingerbread house today, my youngest and me. Not the fancy I am thrilled to be here with him as well, as this is the first It\u2019s the last month of the year, and as always, just like the He begins with the roof, which he tells me firmly we require because Once the roof is safely adhered Zach moves onto the windows, neatly Finally, Zach addresses the foundation, shoring up the edges with his It will always stand.<\/p>\n And my wish for all of you in every year to come, is that your own (I\u2019d like to take just a quick moment to extend my immense gratitude For more on my family visit my blog at autismmommytherapist.wordpress.com<\/em><\/p>\n Follow me on Facebook at Autism Mommy-Therapist<\/em><\/p>\n
\nversion mind you, with its cinnamon-spiced cookie walls and sticky-sweet
\nicing for snow, but the felt version, as I have yet to figure out how
\nto create an edible construct that\u2019s gluten and casein-free. The form
\ndoesn\u2019t seem to matter to Zach however, as he seems content just to
\nforge this linen building with craft glue and discretely adhered masking
\ntape. He is simply happy to sit at our designated table with his mommy,
\nand design his own.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cChristmas house\u201d we have built together, and the added bonus is it
\nconjures up the requisite images of festive architecture from my
\nchildhood past, pleasant in their remembrance. As I sit with him and
\nattempt to gain better purchase on the tiny chair I am well aware of the
\nenormity of this gift, the ability to carry on a tradition with my
\nchild, one who is eager and willing to perform it with me, one who
\nmiraculously was able to request its creation.<\/p>\n
\ncommencement of the school year, it\u2019s a time of reflection for me. I
\nconsider where we\u2019ve been and where we now reside as I help Zachary
\nfabricate his house, watch him carefully separate out the pieces of his
\none-dimensional art form with such care, and manipulate the tiny forms
\nwith such ease. He desires to begin at the top of his home and work his
\nway down, and as I\u2019ve never been one to insist on coloring in the lines
\nwe alter our blueprint a little, an act we\u2019ve committed time and time
\nagain in our tiny family of four.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cit will keep everyone warm and cozy\u201d. As I contemplate how he\u2019s
\nincorporated the latter adjective into his lexicon of words I am
\nsimultaneously reminded of the outpouring of care and compassion we\u2019ve
\nreceived over the years, the small and grand acts of largesse, and the
\nkind words both spoken and written to encourage our clan in times of
\nconflict. These acts have blanketed us, permitted this family to retain
\nthe heat, the fire necessary to forge through the most searingly
\ndifficult times. We could not have built our own home without them.<\/p>\n
\npunching through the cloth panes of glass to afford us a glimpse of the
\nother side, allowing us to widen our view. I recall how watching my
\nyoungest son\u2019s language expand, and my oldest son\u2019s increasing desire
\nfor social interaction, have both enabled me to envision a different
\nworld for my children this year. We now inhabit a home in which the
\nfuture may hold more than just fleeting glimpses of a \u201cnormal\u201d
\nchildhood, one in which both of them may actually one day possess a true
\nfriend. I am so grateful for that expanded vista, for the possibilities
\ninherent in those translucent frames.<\/p>\n
\ntiny fingers immersed in solvent, asking me if his careful
\nministrations are correct. I smile and tell him his house is lovely, as
\nin its own way, is our own. Our foundation has also been conceived in
\npatience, moored in consistency, cemented in love. It\u2019s not seamless,
\nand there will always be cracks. But it will continue to stand.<\/p>\n
\nhouse, no matter how it\u2019s constructed or what form it takes, will
\ncontinue to stand, wind and weather-battered, as magnificently strong as
\nours.<\/p>\n
\nto all of my readers this year. I am so appreciative of the time taken both to read my
\nmissives and to comment on them, and your continued loyalty.<\/em> Happy holidays to all!)<\/em><\/p>\n