Twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
The creatures were stirring, yes, even the mouse
We tried Melatonin and gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters, they always distract

The children were finally all nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror ran through my OWN head
Did I get the right gift, the right color and style?
Would there be a tantrum or, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come but they don't understand
The pleasure he gets just from flapping his hands
They say "He needs discipline, just a well-needed smack"
"You must learn to parent" and on goes the attack

We smile and nod because we know deep inside
The argument is moot, let them all take a side
For only we know autism's procession
The struggles and triumphs, achievements, regression

See, what they don't know and what they don't see
Is the joy that we feel over simplicity
"He said Hello!", "She ate something green!"
"He told his first lie!", "She did not cause a scene!"

"He peed on the potty, who CARES if he's ten!"
"He stopped saying the same thing again and again!"
Others don't realize just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on at the end of our rope

But what they don't see is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism make the tiniest stride
We may look at others without the problems we face
With jealousy, sadness, or even distaste

But what they don't know, nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism bring joyous simplicity
They don't get excited over expensive things
But we jump for joy over the progress work brings

Children with autism try hard every day
They make us proud more than words can say
They work even harder than you or I
To achieve something small, To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don't get it or don't have a clue
Take a walk in my shoes and I'll assure you
that ten minutes in you'll look with respect
at the little child who no one ever expects

To be larger than life because he's so quiet
before being judgemental perhaps you should try it
Our holidays are different, they're special, it's true
Wondrous children make it so through all that they do

But our joy is no less, my lights just as bright
as I look at my child and say "Merry Christmas, good night".

Author unknown. Received through an autism email group.