Cat Report post Posted December 25, 2008 Merry Christmas one and all. Cat Autism Night Before Christmas by Cindy Waeltermann Twas the Night Before Christmas And all through the house The creatures were stirring Yes, even the mouse We tried melatonin And gave a hot bath But the holiday jitters They always distract The children were finally All nestled in bed When nightmares of terror Ran through my OWN head Did I get the right gift The right color And style Would there be a tantrum Or even, maybe, a smile? Our relatives come But they don't understand The pleasure he gets Just from flapping his hands. "He needs discipline," they say "Just a well-needed smack, You must learn to parent..." And on goes the attack We smile and nod Because we know deep inside The argument is moot Let them all take a side We know what it's like To live with the spectrum The struggles and triumphs Achievements, regressions. .. But what they don't know And what they don't see Is the joy that we feel Over simplicity He said "hello" He ate something green! He told his first lie! He did not cause a scene! He peed on the potty Who cares if he's ten, He stopped saying the same thing Again and again! Others don't realize Just how we can cope How we bravely hang on At the end of our rope But what they don't see Is the joy we can't hide When our children with autism Make the tiniest stride We may look at others Without the problems we face With jealousy, hatred Or even distaste, But what they don't know Nor sometimes do we Is that children with autism Bring simplicity. We don't get excited Over expensive things We jump for joy With the progress work brings Children with autism Try hard every day That they make us proud More than words can say. They work even harder Than you or I To achieve something small To reach a star in the sky So to those who don't get it Or can't get a clue Take a walk in my shoes And I'll assure you That even 10 minutes Into the walk You'll look at me With respect, even shock. You will realize What it is I go through And the next time you judge I can assure you That you won't say a thing You'll be quiet and learn, Like the years that I did When the tables were turned....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enid Report post Posted December 25, 2008 Go Cat!!! Brilliant. Enid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisac Report post Posted December 25, 2008 Wow Cat XX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bluefish Report post Posted December 25, 2008 Thankyou!!!!! not only did this make me weep but I gave it to my mother................ and she got it yes she finally understood her grandson is a square peg being shoved into a round hole and saw that he is beautiful and amazing in his own way....... THANKYOU Merry Christmas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted December 25, 2008 Oh sweetheart - that made me cry <'> It's wonderful. Would you mind if i shared it with some families i know who have autistic little ones? Please. M xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sonj186 Report post Posted December 25, 2008 that was fantastic and so true! it brought a tear to my eye Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cat Report post Posted December 25, 2008 This poem came to me via another list and it had been forwarded from another list. There were no objections to it being cross posted so post away. Cat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare63 Report post Posted December 26, 2008 Cat, that is brilliant I will certainly be passing it on. My goodness how so many of those things touch us. Clare x x x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mom Report post Posted December 26, 2008 You're poem was fantastic, im in tears, i wanna print it out and stick it on my front door!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NickyB Report post Posted December 26, 2008 Cat, that was brilliant - it brough tears to my eyes and yet it made me feel so positive, too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marco Report post Posted December 26, 2008 fantastic, really good! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites