How easy it is to forget!

Hi readers!

The New Year is upon us and many often reflect at this time......I actually wait to reflect until my birthday, which just so happens to be today (a week after the New Year).  My life is truly Autism.  It's wrapped up in all that I have to do and deal with.  Autism parents have tons on their plates.  Therapy, behaviors (that are sometimes extremely difficult and can last for hours), doctor's appointments......it's stressful because holding it together means losing it in other ways.  And then you have to think about siblings.....my poor daughter who says she is okay but in her face, I see pain....probably the same pain she sees in my face!  And that completely worries me.....

So what do I do about it?  Well maybe, I need to remember me.  A parent often puts themselves last on the list and when you have more to deal with, it's easy to just let yourself go.  It's easy to hide behind a smile or a new outfit or a new haircut......many often do this sort of thing because they just have to.  We all have our "thing"! But maybe that's the wrong way to go about things!

Today, I got to go out with my girlfriends......that's a really BIG deal.  I don't get to do that!  Leaving Autism is not easy.  Grandma and Grandpa cannot deal with the behaviors and being able to count on a sitter is hard because you don't trust just anybody.  What kid/teen can deal with Autism?  Then I have these wonderful friends who offer but, it's hard to let them because it really is a lot to ask.  Not sure they know what they are getting into and in my mind, I just cannot do that to them....and that's silly because things could be just fine! But the worry is there and that worry is also stressful. 

But today....oh, today!  Best. Day. Ever!!!!!  I had a sitter.....I went out with my girls and oh, we laughed and talked......we were girls hanging out!  I truly had forgotten how nice it was to just be me.  A me who deserves free time every once in awhile....a me who deserves to hang out with her girlfriends.....a me who deserves to be silly and say silly things.....I came home from my fun afternoon and honestly, it's all I can think about.  It's amazing how refreshed and good I feel.  Like I can take on Autism again.....maybe even the world!  What a great day!

In my world, it's easy to forget myself.  Then I have a day like today that reminds me how important these moments are.....remembering yourself, myself, is necessary and important.  I am better for me, for Autism, and everyone else.  So, for my birthday wish.....I hope to remember me.  It may only happen every once in a while but that's okay as long as I remember to "Just Do It"!

TTFN
Martha