An Unexpected Reminder That’s It’s Going to Be Okay

This morning we brought our younger son to see Beauty and the Beast. And I’ll tell you, when you have four kids, it can be a bit tricky to make one on one time work. Like moving mountains honestly. But we made it happen.

As we sat waiting for the show to start, I noticed the group sitting down behind us. A woman and four young adults. I knew instantly that they were like my Cooper.

As she gave them directions and helped them feel at ease amongst the chaos of hundreds of kids, I listened. She was kind. She was patient.

I turned around after a few moments and asked her if she worked in a day program.

See as my own autistic son ages, the fear of him growing up in an often unkind world terrifies me. Someone recently told me I’m catastrophizing by worrying. I don’t think that’s necessarily true. But either way…I’m scared.

Throughout the whole show the young man behind me sang loudly and beautifully. He knew the words to every song. I felt his joy. I smiled every so often at my husband when we made eye contact.

Cooper.

Today helped.