Sunday, November 27, 2011

Am I a Muppet or a Man?


The Muppet Movie opens by fast forwarding through the childhood of brothers, Gary who is a human and Walter who is a muppet. Gary grows up “normally” and Walter struggles with meeting his milestones and falters with "fitting in".   

I would guess that most people seeing this movie briefly ponder how a muppet and a human could be brothers in the first place.  Undoubtedly, I'm further guessing they quickly release themselves of the mystery by giving credit to "It's just a movie." They don’t beat themselves up wondering how the same parents could have such different children. 

I, on the other hand, as a parent of a child with autism and a “neuro-typical” child, struggle with this every day of my life.

...How did this happen?

...How did I have one child with autism, and one child who developed "normally"? 

...How “different” do my children perceive themselves and each other? 

...Will they love each other and themselves, unconditionally throughout their lifetime?

...Will my neuro-typical child struggle in his adulthood to find that balance between loving his brother and enjoying his own life?
There is a moment in the movie that Walter and Gary struggle with their identity.
Each one asking, Am I a muppet or a man?
In the end, they acknowledge their differences and accept who they are,
    and they sing...

              “I think I made up my mind
               Now I understand who I am
Gary :    I’m a man ....I'm a muppet of a man
Walter:  I’m a muppet...I'm a very manly muppet
              This is what I am” 

                           (Am I a Muppet or a Man by Bret Mckenzie)
Although  loving autism can be difficult,
                                  loving this amazing boy is not !!!
I pray this brotherly love lasts forever !

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Life's A Happy Song

Well, we made it out of the house,

out of the car,

through the parking lot

and into the lobby.

By golly,we were even able to reproduce our last attempt into the movie theater...

"He joyfully walked through the doors
and down the hallway to the designated theater.

He pulled down the seat and sat down.

He donned his noise cancelling headphones,
and appeared to enjoy looking around at all of the other movie goers.

FINALLY, the four of us together in one place
about to enjoy a movie as a family..."

I anxiously anticipated having to leave with him out of the movie theater again.
I waited....
                  and waited.....
                                        and waited some more.
                         Then  I realized, I WASN'T waiting anymore.

I was smiling in amazement, and my heart was filled with JOY. This little boy was as happy as could be, and so was his family..
                               ALL of us ...
                                                   TOGETHER
                                                                        AT THE MOVIES !!!!!

As the movie started and the music began, the words in the song couldn't have expressed how I was feeling in that moment...

"Everything is great
Everything is grand
I got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand
Everything is perfect
Its falling into place
I cant seem to wipe this smile off my face...."
Life’s a Happy Song: written by Bret McKenzie