Hubby and I took Buddy to town with us last week and we decided to stop at Denny’s to get lunch.
I cannot tell you how much I love doing this. Mostly because 7 years ago, doing something so basic as going to lunch with Buddy was something that would cause me major anxiety, and quite honestly, we just wouldn’t do it.
This is one of the goals that I have to credit his care giver for. She has been phenomenal, I think it’s because she is a foodie and takes Buddy to all of her favorite restaurants. And now he is a foodie too!
Anyway, we took Buddy to lunch at Denny’s and when we got there, we had a 5 minute wait. I kept whispering to him, “You’re doing great” “We just have to wait a few minutes” “I am so proud of you”.
We get seated and I sit on the outside of the booth and he is on the inside. As we order our food and wait, I have my arm around him and I keep telling him those same statements. I also turned on Spotify, because as we all know, music can be magic to an autistic.
Our food comes and Buddy eats every bite and a few of mine too. Then as we wait for the check, he puts his arms around me and pulls me so tight to him that my glasses almost fall off my face. As he kisses my cheek, I hear it, not with my ears, but with my heart.
My non-verbal son, just said “Thank you Mom, I love when you take me to lunch, and I love you!” as he held me and kissed me again, I felt him say “You’re doing great, I am so proud of you!”
As we drove home and I pondered this wonderful experience, it occurred to me he does this every time I take him to lunch. I think we need to do it more often!
~ASM