Tiger! You made it- You are 8 years old today! 8 years ago you woke me up and informed me it was time to get moving... this morning was no different, but then again, you've always been consistent.
And what an 8 years it has been! You and I have had one fantastic roller coaster ride and it's not over yet. 5 years ago today I put my non-verbal son on a bus and waved goodbye as you drove to class with your blankie. You loved twirling your fingers around the yarns and sometimes it was all you would do. Today we are doing your schooling together and the only blanket you'll hold on to is the one I have you wrapped up in as I roll you up like a burrito and spin you around at your request.
Instead of looking idly on you'll spend your day conversing and playing with your siblings who have become your best friends. You want to do everything with them now and they love you too- never wanting you to be left out of anything.
You are active and refuse to waist one minute of life! You remind me not to take a single opportunity for a laugh for granted.
You don't have all of the words you need yet to express all that you have stored in that smart mind of yours- but it's coming a little bit more every day. What you cannot say is written on your face and you too enjoy watching yourself live life and look for mirrors at every opportunity.
Some people look at you as trapped inside this disorder. They don't know the real you. You do in fact have autism as part of who you are but like every superhero you have your own identity. You do what you want when you want even if it means wearing your swimming shorts, snow boots, pajama top, headphones and cowboy hat- you are your own person without any regard to what anyone else thinks of you. You're a Superhero by day and my angel by night (unless you feel the need to fight crime at 2:30 in the morning which happens often). No one tells you how to save the world but you. You dance to your own beat and sometimes do it in your sister's tights or brothers alligator costume. You say, or squeal what you think and only tell what's in your heart. That, my son, is ultimate freedom!
We work together to harness your fighting spirit (even superheroes need training) but as I'm helping you master your body here on earth, I always look into yours eyes and know there's a warrior spirit in there with a mission beyond my comprehension. I know that being in your presence is an honor and I do not take the responsibility of being your mother lightly. Every human being has the potential to learn, you are here on earth to learn but you are also here to teach.
Our bodies are a gift and you must learn that 6 lbs of ketchup smeared on fries and my table is not the best diet for any person; but you teach me more everyday as you remind me what really matters in the eternal perspective. You are a superhero!
You are a light that refuses to be hidden. Your eyes see what others miss and your always genuine smile is contagious. You laugh at things that we don't have time to notice and you treat everyday like the adventure that it is.
When I ask you how old you are, you answer, "Good." And right you are! Age is just a number anyway, right? It's how you feel that counts.
This is the first year you've wanted to share your birthday with friends. So, we've invited a few from church to come to your house and train to be a superhero just like you do... because the world is need of more children just like you!
I love you my little superhero and everyday you save me a little more!
Happy Birthday Tiger!
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