Max

Sam has been saying "Fourth of July.  Fireworks"  for like, a week.  You have to understand that the 4th of July is one of those "dreaded" autism holidays.  There is really nothing redeeming about it for kids with autism. Parades.  Fireworks.  Closed businesses.  It is nothing but one big, schedule disrupting, loud annoying mess.  I knew we had turned the autism corner when Sam talked about the 4th of July with a smile on his face.  I knew when he voted to go to the parade....in the rain....instead of staying home it was a big day.  I knew when he asked for fireworks...I needed to deliver.  Our city fireworks at 10pm.  Max picked up at 12.  If he finished work early, we could just watch fireworks there instead.

It rained all day.  Not a yucky, drizzle kind of rain.  It was a frog choking, ducks running for shelter, check your basement for puddles kind of rainy day.  Max was being sent home at 10 because the park was closing early....and cancelling the fireworks.  UGH!

Here is my thank you, and quite frankly, an abashed brag about what an amazing young man lives in one of the bedrooms upstairs.  I asked Max if he would might waiting to be picked up so that Sam and Josey could see the fireworks.  He said no problem.  I thanked him when we finally picked him up at 10:45.  He said, "I didn't want you guys to miss it.  You talked about it all day."  Is that sweet or what? 

Max, thank you for being such a genuinely sweet, good hearted boy.