I’m not going to lie: Life has been pretty challenging for a while. Our sweet son is thirteen and has severe autism and epilepsy. We’ve been dealing with a lot of behavior and health issues. These last two weeks have been frustrating and heart-breaking. But the weekend before last, he had a good day, and we were able to meet family at the river like we have the last few years.
During that Saturday, our son had a smile on his face. He enjoyed swimming, managed the stress and sensory input like a master, and we formed new family memories that will always be treasured.
The next day, the behavior issues returned and have continued to increase since then. For now, even though I’ve had to put writing aside and focus on him and keeping my sanity, I’ve held on to how happy he was.
It’s been a reminder that sometimes we have to treasure the bright spots in life and continue to pray that those bright spots will expand and become more frequent.
GIVEAWAY:
Our family enjoys meeting and camping (or going for the day, in the case of myself and our son) at the river every summer. We swim, cook amazing meals over an open fire, play in the river, and enjoy each other’s company. Do you have any summer traditions?
Answer below, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a copy of my book, Safe In His Arms. If you’ve read it, you can choose from one of the other books in the series, including the new release, Starting Anew. One winner will be randomly chosen Friday, August 9th, and contacted by e-mail. I look forward to reading your responses!
Thanks for the encouragement to hold onto those sweet moments. I’m sorry for the tough time you and your son are having right now ?
We usually go away – either to Vermont or Disney World – during the summer.
Praying for your family, Melanie. Growing up our summer tradition was going to Wildwood Crest at the Jersey Shore! I miss those simple days!
I use to go to the cricket (an international test match) and a state game each season. (summer) I loved going now I occasionally get to the state game but due to head pain and having a major issue with noise now I am unable to go to the test due to it being so loud and a sensory overload.
Hi Melanie, prayers for you, your son and family-I pray that God gives you patience and wisdom and peace and that He brings peace to your son.
Over summer (Christmas for us) holidays, we like to go camping or any other activity that we can enjoy outdoors. We bought and restored a little catamaran last year and have added sailing to our favourite pastimes.
Blessings:)
Hi Melanie,
Our summer tradition has been to go to the beach.
Sending prayers that there be many more bright moments coming your way and improvement for your son.
We usually go to an amusement park/Lake Winnie.
Prayers for you and your son during the difficult times.
Yes it is nice to tuck the good memories of days with our loved ones to hold us through the challenging days. Prayers for your family.
My family spent as much time as possible camping at various lakes in the summer. One of the best memories of family time
Hi Melanie! Prayers for your family and son. May God grant you continued wisdom and strength. As retirees, who live in a resort town, during the summer we enjoy our deck weather permitting. Hubby and I do not tolerate heat very well any more. We take back road trips to explore the Midwest and discover small town museums and family owned restaurants. Best Wishes.
We don’t have any summer traditions other than playing hopscotch. We didn’t even get a chance to get in any water this year.
Thanks for sharing about your summer. I really enjoy going to the beach for the summer: actually walking in the sand and going into the water during the day, and walking in the sand at night. It’s so peaceful. Nothing more than family, restful time.
Thank you for the comments. I will be responding to each one this afternoon. I have some appointments this morning for our son and apologize for the lack of responses in the meanwhile. God bless!!
Melanie,
I have dear friends who share your story with your son. They savor the mountain experiences because the valley ones as he grows and medicines change mean for a lot of tough days. May God sustain you all and give you solid direction for him to have many, many, many happy days.
Praying for You and Your Family God Bless you Melanie we don’t have any plans most of the time for summer it is a spur of the moment thing that happens! But I have enjoyed my summer reading and watching the grandchildren play in their pool!
My heart goes out to you and your family!! One of my nephews is special needs. He’s the reason my sister (his mother) has her Master’s degree in early childhood education and specializes with special needs. She works with younger children, some not yet 5. My family used to go almost every summer to Northwest GA to visit our extended family. Now, I go back when I can, but haven’t been able to go back in about 13 years. I’d love to be up there in October, but I won’t be able to leave Mom and go, and she can’t make the trip. I still have my memories, though, so that’s the next best thing!
Are you talking Lake Winnie in Rossville?? I have family that go there a lot during the summer! It’s not far from where they live.
Melanie, I’ve been praying for you and your family. We don’t have any summer traditions because every summer is different. It’s an adventure.
Melanie, you’re an awesome mother and God is utilizing you to be exactly what your son needs. Exhausting, but worthwhile. Best wishes to you!
Summer for our landlocked family always meant driving at least 16 hours until we reached the beach, where we would enjoy the waves, the sand, get sunburnt, eat lots of great seafood, and play miniature golf and real golf.
I’m glad you had a happy day with your son. I hope you have another one soon. We used to go camping out lots when I was much younger.
Thank you!
Both of those sound like great places to go during the summer. I’ve never been to Vermont, but have always heard it’s beautiful there.
Thank you, Paula Marie. Oh, those trips sound wonderful. Yes, the simple days are the best!
That’s definitely understandable. I’m sure that going to events like that with all the people and noise would be hard!
Hi Wemble. Thank you so much! Going camping and enjoying the outdoors sounds wonderful! I’ll bet sailing was so much fun!
Hi Sally,
Going to the beach sounds like the perfect summer activity. How fun! Thank you for the prayers!
That sounds like fun, Kathy. Thank you for the prayers.
Thank you, Bernice. Camping at the lake sounds perfect. Is it usually really hot where you are during the summer? Or cooler by the lake?
Thank you, Renate. I definitely understand about enjoying shade and air conditioning in the summer. I’m not big about being outside in the heat. Nice you have a deck to enjoy!
Some years are like that! They are either so busy, weather doesn’t cooperate, etc. I hope you’ve still had a good summer, though.
The beach is one of my favorite things, too. I haven’t been in years. And you are right – it’s so peaceful there!
Thank you for sharing, Julie. I’m sorry your friends are going through such a difficult time with their son as well. Yes, we have to savor those mountain experiences, that’s for sure. <3 I wish more mountains than valleys for your friends.
Thank you, Sarah. And I’m all for spur-of-the-moment activities. Those are always fun!
Hi, Trudy. Thanks for sharing! That’s neat that your sister got her master’s degree in early childhood education to work with kids who have special needs. Those trips in the summer sounded like fun. Yes, thank goodness for memories of things that make us smile!
Thank you, Merrillee <3 Adventures are always good!
Thanks for your encouragement, Laurie! Your trips to the beach sound amazing! 16 hours is a long time to drive, but I’ll bet it’s worth it!!
Thank you, Mary! <3 Yeah my son and I haven't been camping for several years. But Hopefully we will again soon!
Melanie, praying for your family <3
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance[a] upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
I love the covers – they are beautiful!
We love camping too – we usually do several trips throughout the year.
Blessings!
As a special education teacher, I feel your pain and send you hugs!! Now that my kids are out of the house, we don’t have any summer traditions.
Hi Natalya,
Thank you for the prayers and for sharing the scripture. I appreciate that!
That’s great you guys go camping several times a year. It’s always nice to get away from it all!
Thanks, Linda! That’s wonderful you’re a special education teacher. God bless you!
While I don’t have autism I can emphasize with people who do on the sensory issues like noise. Thankfully botox is helping me now.
Hugs to you, I hope things are getting better with your son.