What's on your child's holiday wish list? If yours is like mine who is on the autism spectrum, it's not the season's hot ticket item. And I love that about my son!
In his 15 years so far, Abram’s never asked for a football for Christmas. He doesn’t want LEGOs, and the latest hard-to-find game console would be lost on him. In fact the perfect gift for him isn’t under the tree, it’s on it: Abram is absolutely enthralled by Christmas lights, and his delight is illuminating my Christmas joy this season.
From his earliest years, Abram’s always been keenly interested in mechanical things. When he was three or four years old, my uncle Harold came to visit and loved to hold Abram up so he could push the garage opener. They opened and closed it so much that the motor overheated and it quit working completely. That was inconvenient for me and my transportation needs, for sure--but worth it given the joy it brought to this pair.
His related interest--you could even call it a fixation, the drive is that strong--is lights. All year round he also changes the lights in the lamppost and porch. There’s a carefully selected color for my daughter Macie’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, July 4th and Halloween.
But Christmas is Abram’s time to shine. My husband Jeff always tried to get me to assist with outside lights. My attitude: it’s effort to put ‘em up, and more effort to take ‘em down, so no...thanks, I don’t need more work. Abram however started off as Jeff’s gleeful assistant, but each year he becomes more and more the leader. Christmas starts with enthusiasm right around back-to-school time. Once completed (before Thanksgiving, of course), our yard is adorned with strands of lights and collapsible wire figures like a life-size, lit-up Frosty figure! And inside he also wrangles two different Christmas trees, mantle, garlands, stairs, poinsettias and more. The entire set-up, inside and out, is also attached to timers that are perfectly plotted.
And while most people dread the undecorating process, Abram’s enthusiasm for lights cannot be tamed by their dimming. Not only does he take them down, but he puts them away in a fantastically organized manor. No tangled balls in our house--our lights are meticulously coiled and stored with an engineer’s precision. It’s truly an awesome perk of our little slice of autism.
Lights also make a fitting Christmas gift. Under our tree for Abram this year, you’ll find a large light-up snowman to add to the yard display. And though Uncle Harold can’t join us, Abram still loves garage door openers, so we are also seriously considering a new Liftmaster garage door opener. Abram’s loving their videos on how the openers are installed, and I’m loving that the durable motor will probably stand up to repeated opening. Well, let’s hope!
In a year of many challenges, I’m joyful and grateful for my connections with other parents who get it, from the peace of mind that comes with tucking a child into a Safety Sleeper bed on the eve of a holiday or birthday, to the delight that comes from quirky presents for brilliant minds in the morning. I’m full of joy and gratitude for all of the little and big things life sends our way.
I love yall and want to wish you a wonderful holiday season.
