Postcards from France

We had friends over last night, and talked, you know, about things.  One of the odd paradoxes we discussed is the fact that children on the spectrum (most children, actually) crave a sense of structure and like to know what's coming next. At the same time, our kids have a particular tendency to become anxious about transitions, even if they are transitions to something they dearly want.  So it is sometimes a delicate balancing act, the act of telling. Or you can call it by its real name: a crapshoot.

So I, uh, didn't really tell Isaac that we were going to have dinner guests. When the doorbell rang, he became a bit agitated, naming his regular babysitters in near-chronological order and insisting that it wasn't them. And it wasn't.

We set up the kids in Isaac's room with trains, cars and books, and, after a while, left them to play in proximity if not actually together. After a while, I heard a familiar pound-pound-pound down the hallway. One rosy cherubic face popped in, grinned, then another. Then pound-pound-pound down the hallway again.  And back. "We're chasing us!" Isaac crowed, clearly delighted with himself and his companion. I was so bowled over at the spontaneity that I couldn't have cared less about the pronouns. 

It didn't last long (which the downstairs neighbors probably appreciated), but it was progress. Oh, and I made Kung Pao Chicken.

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If you're looking for two beautiful things to read this week, I recommend Paul Collins' piece in Cookie about how to include a child with autism in your birthday parties, and my friend Kristen's piece about what lies beyond awareness.

Off to the kitchen. Grandpa and Nonna flew in today from the East Coast (they hit the jackpot; it's a gorgeous 76 degrees here) and I am about to crack open a bottle of Albarino and make shrimp with snowpeas for family dinner. 

P.S. If you're wondering what the heck the title means, check out this post from MOM-NOS. Classic.

Comments

[Emily]

Very good. Very good indeed, that pounding.

We (my husband and I) use the "from France" reference ALL the time. It's so evocative and useful. And since we've got a bit of the French in us ourselves, we don't view it as labeling so much as recognition.

[Niksmom]

C'est magnifique!

[kristen]

Susan, this is so lovely to read...

[Christa]

I can vouch for the fact that the pound, pound, pounding was adorable, the hosts were charming, and the kung pao chicken was delicious!

Thanks for a wonderful evening!

[Nicki]

I love that, "We're chasing us!" It actually makes sense if you think about it!