From the Bottom of My Heart

Twenty-six people...I think that was the final count.  Twenty-six people, and not one single full-fledged meltdown.  Stimming?  Yes.  Minor overload?  Of course.  Though we spent much of the Hubbo Family Easter party outside, playing in the rocks and running barefoot in the grass, everyone made it through relatively unscathed. 

Family members came up to me left and right, exclaiming at how drastically The Princess's eye contact has improved, marvelling at the fact that she is now engaging them in interactions.  My heart sings when I hear these comments, for it is then that I know it's not just me...these lengths to which we are going to help the princess really are working.

For two and a half years, The Princess's cousin, A, has chased her only to be thwarted; hugged her only to be pushed away; and persisted only to be flagrantly ignored.  This little girl has an amazing ability to stick to a task, and she's always so good-natured about The Princess's rejections...always going back for more, and shrugging it off when it doesn't work.

Easter Sunday, in my in-laws' back yard, I witnessed another everyday miracle.  The Princess, in the middle of her usual stim-running, stopped in her tracks, made eye contact with A, grabbed her hand, and took off.

Holding hands, the girls played.  It was a fleeting moment, but one which I can assure you I will not be forgetting any time soon.  My little girl initiated a social interaction with another child today.  I can't even begin to explain how huge this is.

A, if you're reading this ten years down the line (or next year - or tomorrow -  at the rate you're going!!!), thank you.  Thank you for continuing to try to engage The Princess, regardless of the fact that she has never shown any kind of interest in the past.  Thank you for going along with The Princess when she decided to peek out of her shell today.  Thank you for not plotzing right there and going Ohmygosh, she took my hand, she took my HAND!!! as I likely would have done.  Thank you.

The two of you, walking hand-in-hand, brought a tear to my eye.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.