The Journey I Was Meant to Take: Embracing the Unexpected Path Perfectly Suited for Me.

Ever had one of those days where everything's going swimmingly, only to have it crash and burn right before bedtime? Ah, the classic tale of a stellar day taking an unexpected nosedive. You've had a delightful day that could've been sponsored by happiness itself, only for the universe to toss a wrench in your plans at the last minute. Seriously, universe? Seriously?  

So, there I am, riding the high of a fantastic day when, out of nowhere, bam! Something unexpected came along to rain on my parade when I was about to sleep (Seriously!!!). It was like I was planning a picnic and ending up with a surprise thunderstorm. But amid my mini chaos, I had a moment of clarity (the next day, of course). I had to stop and ask myself, "Why am I letting this minor inconvenience suck the joy out of my day?" And you know what? It hit me like those "Aha!" moments —I'm focusing on the small stuff, and let's face it, why I was doing that, because my world can be challenging. And I'll admit, I crave a sense of normalcy, which certain small things sometimes give me. 

You see, I'm a mom, but not your typical PTA-attending, minivan-driving mom. Nope, I'm part of a special community—the parent of a non-verbal autistic child. It's not exactly the stuff of Hallmark movies, but hey, who needs a script when you're living life on the edge? And here's the kicker: despite the challenges, I wouldn't change a thing. Every day, I'm forced to grow, to adapt, to become a better version of myself. It's like getting a crash course in life, with my child as the wisest teacher I never knew I needed. Sure, I might find myself caught up in little, unimportant things, but then I remember: Don't sweat the small stuff, or you'll miss the beauty of the bigger picture. My child is exactly who he meant to be, quirks and all. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Others often overlook the profound growth and learning that comes from raising an autistic child. They see the struggles, but they miss the beauty in the journey—the way it shapes us into better, more compassionate humans. And let me tell you, I'm not just a mom; I'm also a clinical psychologist, and I owe a huge part of my growth in that field to my child. He taught me empathy, patience, and resilience in ways I never thought possible. Every day, I'm a better psychologist because of him.

So here's to embracing the chaos, finding humor in the madness, and facing each day with equal parts professionalism and compassion. Normalcy is overrated, and even if, at times, I crave it, let me tell you, there's no journey I'd rather be on than the one I am on with my child. 

I will Make it Possible!