Request Permission to Abandon Ship

Although he lives with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Mac is very verbal…actually eloquent in speech. However, he rarely verbalizes his thoughts and prefers drawing pictures to empty his mind.

It is easy to see his mind at work as he sits and stares out a window, deep thoughts traversing his extremely bright mind…but I'm not often privy to those thoughts. When he does let me in, the thoughts can be anywhere from deep and spiritual to funny and creative to "whoa, where did that come from?".

The other day Mac and I were sitting on the sofa, and he drew as I read a book.

"Mom?"

"Yes."

"How old do you have to be to leave home and not come back?"

"Do you mean run away?"

"No, just move away and come back when you want to visit."

"Well Mac, the age would not necessarily be the same for every person. The age at which a person is legally considered an adult is twenty-one."

"Oh."

"Mac, do you want to leave home?"

"No."

"Is there something more you want to talk about?"

"No."

I am hoping the fact that he was dressed in pirate garb signifies this was just a moment of imagination about sailing the seas and not having to eat his veggies or brush his teeth.

Aaarrgh, matey, me thinks Mac should be in our home and my arms for at least 10 more years.

During those years I'll cherish the thoughts he shares with me and remember not to push when he isn't able to let me in.

Shared in honor of National Autism Awareness Month

Melody can be found at 5M4SN and at Slurping Life sharing photos and a few words from her special life.