Autism isn't a dirty word!

Look at that face. That face belongs to my 4 year old son, Connor. Connor loves trains, cars and petting the cats (when they will let him get close enough, that is). He loves jumping on the couch -- even though he's not supposed to -- and he loves having playdates with his friends. Connor is very bright, and is already reading at a third grade level. He will sing the alphabet song until it drives you crazy, and he can count to 100.

On the outset, Connor isn't all that different from any other 4 year old save one thing. He has autism. Yes, people, AUTISM. He is very high-functioning, and most people have no clue he is on the spectrum unless they are told. I am constantly hearing things like "he doesn't really have autism, does he?" and "I never would have guessed if you hadn't told me!"

Connor's autism presents him with some very interesting behaviors at times. He'll do things like lining up his toys and then not wanting you to mess with his order. Sometimes he feels the need to spin in circles until he's dizzy or crash into furniture so he can get some extra sensory input. These behaviors can make others uncomfortable. I get that. But Connor didn't ask to have autism. Unfortunately, he didn't get a say in the matter.

Sadly, we are finding out every day that an awful lot of people would rather put children like Connor in a room and pretend they don't exist. Well, you know what? I'M TIRED OF IT. My child is a human being. God created him and loves him just as much as any other child. And I have had it with some peoples' attitudes toward him. My child deserves to be happy and loved just like any other child. So from here on out, when I know someone is excluding him just because his autism makes them uncomfortable, I'm going to call them on it. No more being nice and pretending I don't notice. I am going to start making those kinds of people just as uncomfortable as they make me and my son. It's way past time people learn to be a little more accepting of others, and maybe God is pushing me to be the person who helps that happen.

Same Kind of Different as me......

A lot of not-so-pleasant things have happened to me and my family in the last year. I'll just come right out and say it: for the most part, 2009 sucked. Sorry for the harshness, but it's just the way I feel. Because of some of the circumstances we've faced, I have, at times, found it very easy to feel sorry for myself and to wallow in my own grief. And that can make for a very miserable existence.

I got this book for Christmas. I started reading it when we went to Canada for Robin's funeral. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, other than it was a New York Times best seller and it had excellent reviews. Although, I will say I've read many New York Times best sellers that have left me scratching my head and wondering how those folks ever got published, let alone be classified as a best seller. So to say I was skeptical was a mild understatement.

But this book, which I finally finished Friday night, was the most inspirational story I've read in a long time. And the best part is, it's all true. The characters in this book --- including authors Ron Hall and Denver Moore, both pictured above --- really exist. They really experienced these events and they became better people for them. The raw emotion exhibited in this book brought tears to my eyes more than once. It also served as a little wake up call for me and my attitude. I'm not going to say that I'll never feel self-pity again, because we're all human and that's human nature. But it sure showed me a better way to deal with it. I'm not going to give any of what's in the book away, because I want you to run right out there, find it, and read it. Trust me.....you won't be sorry you did.

Nightly attacks continue......film at 11......

So, for the last couple of weeks, Zorro (aka feral kitty) has decided that my feet look shifty and must die. As you can see from the photo above and below, once he decides to attack, there's no rest. And sadly, this usually occurs at 2 or 3 a.m., when I am well into sleep mode. The first time he ever did it, it scared me so badly he's lucky he didn't get sent flying across the room! I thought someone was in bed with me! Here, it was just the cat, deciding my feet looked entirely too suspicious and must be killed immediately.

And sadly, the only way to keep him from repeatedly attacking me is to lay perfectly still in bed at night. And anyone who knows me knows that isn't a possibility. So I usually get attacked all night long. *sigh*

My other cat, Gabe, (see above) is no help. He just sits there and watches. Last night, though, he gave me the "what in the heck has Zorro been smoking" look and then left the room. Some help he is.

This just cements my belief that cats are crazy........

Snow bunnies.....and snow cats

We're finally back from 9 days in Canada, and Connor and daddy decided to have some fun with what little bit of snow there is left here. First, they built a snow "Gabriel." Gabriel is one of our cats.

Then they decided to make a snow bunny.......

They had fun and now there's hardly any snow left in our yard. Although, given the winter we've been having, I'm sure it won't be long before we have more.

Leaving it in their hands.....

This is me in my new winter coat that my mom and dad found for me the other day. I knew I'd need one for our trip to Canada for Robin's funeral but was having trouble finding anything here that wasn't just for "show" instead of warmth. It's really cold in Canada. It's -35 in Minnesota, but it's even colder in Canada. Thanks mom and dad! YOU ROCK!

I am very thankful for all the help my friends are giving us while we're away. Thanks especially to Sandy and Kim, my house sitters. I warn them ahead of time, though, to be prepared to get their feet attacked in bed at night by Zorro. That's his new thing. If he thinks they look shifty, he tries to "kill" them. They'd better be prepared to get "Zorroed" at 3 a.m.! :)

And we're off.....eh!

Reflections on the end of 2009.....

Last night, while many of you were toasting to the start of 2010, I found myself reflecting back on the last week of 2009 and not feeling much like celebrating. So many things have happened in the last few days that it has taken me this long to process them, let alone to be able to write about them.


On Sunday, my dad suffered a mild heart attack. After 2 days in the hospital, and some shuffling of his medication, he is back home with us. But it was a scary few days.


The news of my dad came on the heels of some news we received less than 24 hours prior to that about my brother-in-law, Robin. My in-laws called to tell us he had passed away. The events surrounding his passing are still not 100% clear, as we await a full autopsy report from the coroner. But it looks as if he suffered a seizure. For those of you who don't know, Robin was in a bad car accident 5 years ago which left him with a C-2 spinal cord injury. Because of its location, Robin should have been a quadriplegic. But by the grace of God, he was able to still have movement in his arms and could use his hands to a limited extent. His determination to defy the odds served him well over the last few years, allowing him to live alone and have a fairly normal life. He never let his situation get him down, which amazed me. I can't say I would have remained as upbeat had I been in his shoes.


He was not only a feisty guy, but also one of the most warm-hearted people I have ever met. Robin was known for helping others out, even perfect strangers and homeless people he met on the street. He would give you his last dollar if you needed it. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you. At the time of his passing, he was allowing a homeless man he had met on the street to stay at his place. How many of us would have done something like that? If we're honest, we'd have to say not many. But that's just the kind of guy Robin was. He was grateful for what he had and wanted to share it with others less fortunate.


As I downloaded this photo, I began thinking back on the first time I ever met Robin. Because my husband's family is mostly from Western Canada, we don't see them often. When I first met Robin, he didn't embrace me and welcome me to the family, as I was expecting. In true Robin fashion, he pulled my hair (which I was wearing in a long braid) and said to me "I always wanted a sister so I could do that." So in true Shari fashion, I punched him in the arm and said "And I always wanted a brother so I could do that."


While I am saddened by his loss, I have decided to live my life the way Robin would want us to: with determination, good spirits and love for others. I love you, Robin. May you find rest and peace with God.