It has been a happy few weeks for Coco.  Any autism mom knows not to take those moments for granted.  And I know that the wind can change at any moment.   But Coco is happy so Momma is happy.  I chose a picture of Coco with her sister Lilly for this post because I’ve been especially grateful lately to Lilly for her loyalty to Coco.  Lilly has her own pre-teen trials and tribulations to contend with yet she always thinks of her sister.  Coco always has Lilly looking out for her.

Another hero for Coco is her RPM practitioner, Jane.  Jane is young and adorable and dresses cool.  She schleps out here from Brooklyn twice a month.  It’s the only time that Coco gets to communicate with someone other than me.  Let that sink in.  This thirteen year old girl can communicate with her mother only – no one else – except for two half hours a month.  And her mother is sitting outside the room eavesdropping.  I can’t imagine the frustration.

Today the first thing she said to Jane was I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT.  Of course, Jane was intrigued and probed further and Coco continued.  IM NOT MAD ANY MORE AT AUTISM.  GOT TO TAME THE BEAST THRU MY WRITING.   She told Jane she wanted to write a poem. I am sharing it here with Coco’s permission.

THE TIME TO GRIEVE IS OVER

IM NOT GOING TO CHOOSE SADNESS

AS A FRIEND OR COMFORT

I NEED OTHERS TO REMIND ME

OF THIS WHEN IM TEMPTED TO

RETURN TO ITS CALL

NO SEA ONLY GROANS

IT SHINES IN SUNSHINE HOW

FLOWERS NOT ONLY DECAY THEY

BLOOM ONLY TIME

ALLOWS THE MEMORY TO

DISSOLVE HOURS PASS

KEEPING MY TIRED WATCH TICKING

HOURS INTO DAYS

LIFE IN A MOMENT OF SOLITUDE

GET ME TO

THE BEAUTY I NEED

TO GO ON.