Declarations of Love (Autism Style)

On Monday I came home later than usual. The Boy held the door open for me, watching as I walked down the hallway. He waited for me to come in before running back to his room. No hello. No kiss. No hug. 

The Husband later told me that minutes before I rang the bell, The Boy stood at the door and burst into tears. When The Husband asked what was wrong, The Boy said "I want to see Mommy."

Later The Boy sat next to right on top of me. "Norrin why were you crying?" I asked him.

"Because, I missed mom." 

***

Every Wednesday it's the same thing. The Boy gets off the bus, smiling brightly and asks, "Can I get ice cream?"

No hello. No kiss. No hug. 

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that he is capable of asking an age appropriate question. But I wonder if his smile is for me or at the thought of a Mr. Softee ice cream cone.

"Who do you want to go get an ice cream with?" I ask.

The Boy reaches for my hand as we cross the street and says, "With mom."

*** 

Last night I was sick with a fever. The Husband gave me medicine and within minutes, I was feeling drowsy. I lay in bed, wrapped in my blanket when The Boy pounced on me. "Mommy's sick," I said, "please let me rest."

"Do you need to spit (throw up)?" The Boy asked. And before I could answer, he said, "I'll go get the bucket!"

The Boy ran down the hall and back. He placed the bucket on the floor next to me. Then he tucked my blanket around my shoulders. And he let me sleep.

***  

What declarations of love have your children shown you this week?