Love Is Magic

"One of the greatest discoveries I've made is that nothing is missing; it's always equilibrated, and we're always surrounded by whatever we love. Just as in a relationship, where the more you try to change your partner the more they resist you, the more you try to change the world into your fantasy of how it should be, the more it bites you. Love it for what it is, and you have the power to transform it - not because you need to change it any longer, but because love gives you the power to do so. Love is magic." (Dr John F. Demartini)

Travelling the journey - 2 years post diagnosis

It was this week, 2 years ago, that Steve and I sat together in the psychologist’s office, hearing that yes, autism it is.

My life, and my perspective on life, has changed dramatically since then. I am a different person. I am a different parent. I have a different outlook on life. My journey, since that day, has taken me places that I never dreamed, and my journey has turned me full circle, many times over.

Today I reflect on my fellow travellers.

I have travelled many roads, often beating a track through wilderness, and often blocked by fallen trees and ‘scrub’ that left me scratched and bruised. On my quest to the top of the mountain, or the edge of soaring cliffs, I have left many fellow travellers behind – some that weren’t up for the journey, and perhaps some that didn’t know how to be part of the journey. And I have picked up a few travellers along the way as well – the rugged and determined type. Those who don’t mind climbing the rock face or wading the moving tides. Those who come prepared for all types of conditions.

Travellers on my journey have to come prepared to weather storms. They have to be prepared to hold my hand as the storm lashes. They have to be prepared to sit and wait whilst the winds die down. They have to be prepared to shelter from the burning sun. And they have to be prepared to walk with me – together with me.

The part of the world where I travel can be both beautiful and treacherous – nature at its best. The part of the world where I travel is pure and natural – not a facade to be seen. But there are rainbows to be found, and usually they are brightest after a storm. And they are brightest when viewed and enjoyed by all my fellow travellers – together. Yes, you see, the rainbows are most luminous when my rugged travellers come together. When we hold each other’s hands and push on to the top of the mountain, and when we pull each other up the side of the cliff. And then we find the rainbow. And for a moment the world stands still – and we feel blessed with what is before us. There is love. And we have the strength to take the next step on the journey.

To my rugged fellow travellers – I thank you. I am blessed to have you by my side.

A Bittersweet Weekend

With a SPOCAAS shopping trip to DFO (Direct Factory Outlets) in Melbourne planned for Saturday just gone, the weekend was shaping up to be a fabulous one. I'd been busy saving my cash, and had my shopping list planned. There were 8 other excited SPOCAAS mums who had done the same, and with the bus booked, and the driver and his co-pilot ready to go, nothing was stopping us!!

We boarded the bus in Echuca at 8am sharp Saturday morning, and we were on our way, giggling like school girls and chatting non-stop! With a quiz to complete along the way (sharing some things about ourselves - that had some very funny stories told and lots more laughter) the time flew, and after a short rest stop in Kilmore we arrived in Essendon at DFO even earlier than anticipated, and ready to shop!

But wait... coffee and cake first... ahhh, a great way to start our shopping experience. And then we were off and away... and DID WE SHOP??? We shopped until we dropped... for lunch that is! A short break for lunch, to refuel our bodies and show off some of our purchases (and of course send some packages back to the bus - thanks to our fabulous co-pilot Rob) and off and away we were again.

I hear from the other mums that the bus arrived home in Echuca an hour later than anticipated!! (I'm assuming the shopping got caught up in a time warp! LOL) Unfortunately I had to depart early when Steve and the kids picked me up from DFO - yes, we had some pressing family needs that we had to attend to.

As a bittersweet end to my day, Steve, Jack, Annie and I visited with Steve's dad late Saturday afternoon. It was the second last time that we would see him. Spending Saturday night with Steve's mum, we again visited his dad on Sunday morning, and the kids and I said our final sad goodbyes before leaving Steve to have some time with his dad, his mum and his brother (who had flown in from Sydney on Sunday morning). We later picked up Steve and travelled the seemingly long journey home to Echuca.

It was a weekend that seemed to go on for a week, with us experiencing every 'season' possible - from great excitement to great sadness.

We now wait for news on Steve's dad, with our hearts a little heavy, and praying that peacefulness will come quickly...

With love xx

Here I am again... back and blogging

Well, here I am... only a few months ago did I leave blogging behind, to have found suddenly that I need it again...

Life is all about ups and downs.

Right now in my life... or should I say 'our lives' (meaning those of my beautiful little family)... we are facing challenges that many people in the world face, but challenges that are still very hard to come to terms with at times.

Steve started a new job recently and has been away from home for generally 5 out of 7days for the last month. The kids are now just starting to cope with this, and thankfully we are nearly to the end of this part of his new job. Soon he will be home again with only the occasional stay away.

But just as one upheaval ends, so to does another one intensify. Steve's dad has been living with cancer (melanoma) now for about 2 years, and within the next few days, possibly a week or two at most, it is likely that we will be saying goodbye.

Like I said, stuff that millions of other people live with and face... but not easy regardless.

So here I am back and blogging... I'm hoping my little journal will help me through some of the more challenging moments ahead...

And for those of my friends who used to follow my blog "Managing Autism"... yes, I will again continue to share our family's story as we travel on our journey...

With love xx