Today I sat outside and watched a group of neighborhood kids playing basketball. It was a Norman Rockwell moment of sorts, but rather than a snapshot of Americana it felt more like a small piece of humanity played out in front of me. The kids were just being kids. They laughed, they giggled, they argued at one point one little boy skinned his knee and cried for a moment. They did all the things that neighborhood friends have been doing since the world put three kids together in one place.
It was a charming moment and a tiny slice of normalcy in an otherwise hectic world. One of those moments that assures a busy soul that life does indeed go on as one remembers it from their own childhood. A second in time that reaffirms that kids are kids, despite the ever changing world we all live in. It was a good moment, but even though I was smiling the entire time the scene left me with a sense of foreboding and a troubled heart.
I can’t help but wonder if Lil’ B. will ever share a moment like that with friends of his own. Will he ever just want to hang out and throw a ball at a hoop? Will he ever understand the meaning of real friendship, or will he continue to leave his interests focused on other things that only he really understands?
It’s hard to say at just 2 1/2 years old. For now he is completely content to leave all the other kids to their own devices. Just this afternoon a little girl of perhaps 1 year came to our back fence to play with Lil’ B., but he never even acknowledged she was there. He noticed, but he didn’t give any indication whatsoever. He just didn’t care.
And so I go into the late evening wondering if my son will ever have the friendships he deserves in his life. This one is going to cost me a bit of sleep, I think.
Until next time:
Peace, I’m Out.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
We had similar experiences. For some number of years neither of my boys even acknowledged the other’s presence let alone tried to communicate with each other. It’s very different now.
Best wishes
Maddy,
I really hope that’s the case. For now I’m glad that he’s happy to see his therapists arrive.
Hi Jerry….it was such a wonderful surprise and privilege to find you again so many years after high school on Facebook, and then to browse your sites to see what your doing since high school is truly impressive. I have seen some wonderful advances with children suffering from Autism. I have worked as a behavioral specialist/tutor with autistic pre-schoolers in a discreet trials program, and as a special education teacher I work with special needs children everyday….keep that hope you have. You may see your son engage and play with others sooner than you might imagine. God Bless!!!…
Coletha,
Good to hear from you as well! It’s always interesting to find what old friends have been up to. I’m just puttering along, but in a good way, I think.
I have great hopes that Lil’B. will be high functioning one day. It’s all his mother and I have to work towards, so it’s what we do. some days are just harder than others.