Happy almost Birthday, sweet boy!

I wrote this for his birthday last year but every word of it is still true...

Dear Michael,
When most people hear the word "autism", they imagine a child in his own world, closed off from others with no interest in human contact and no way to communicate without speech. I wish every single one of them could meet you. To sit on the couch with you curled up next to them, holding out your foot to be rubbed or just cuddling, to have you lead them into the kitchen to get you a drink or a snack -- they'd be amazed at how well you communicate when you want something! And at how affectionate you can be. And how you can make me laugh so hard and how hard you laugh! Of course, there's also the dark side... when you're having a GI episode and crying and crying in pain and there's nothing we can do for you, or when you want to try something we're eating but can't because of your diet, it's so hard.
But I can't believe how far you've come in the 4 1/2 years I've known you!! Beginning to say sounds and having so many signs, riding a bike and a scooter, pumping on the swings, swimming! and of course, feeding yourself which I take most of the credit for . I pray every day that the doctors will find a way to heal your belly and your immune system and you can have a normal life enjoying all of the things other little boys do... I would give anything to make you better. But in the meantime, know that I love you just as you are.


Summer 2003 - 6 1/2 years old


Summer 2005 - 8 1/2