Friday, April 27, 2012

Why Won't You Leave Me Alone!


       Several weeks ago, I read a Facebook post about how someone would still have nightmares about school. Naked in the hallways. Late for class and freaking out. The type of dreams that plagued me in my youth occasionally. In that post, they asked how many people still had dreams about high school. I found that interesting. Up until that point, I thought I was the only one who couldn't get the past to leave them alone.
       In school, I guess I had the life that has become the favorite enactment for underdog heroines in movies. I was teased and tormented. Always chosen last for sports. I had kids put gum on my clothes during assemblies and I had never been asked to dance until my senior prom. The big difference between my life and the movies? I didn't have a popular prince who came to my rescue. I had books, band, and an imagination that wouldn't quit.
     I'll be honest, senior year changed everything. I had a decent group of misfit friends that were awesome, and I had a serious boyfriend. That year, I was genuinely happy. But let's face it...one year of happiness can't erase eleven years of misery.
     Here it is, over ten years later, and I'm still having occasional nightmares about being left out of the group. What's worse, I still wake up sad. I hate that most of all.
      These days, I'm honestly happy. I have an amazing husband, three kids who fight over who gets to sit next to me, and I have a more friends than I ever thought possible. I'm truly happy. I don't know if I will ever stop having those dreams, but, in a way, I hope I never do. Every time I have them, I wake up more thankful for the people I have in my life. I used to hate the people that made fun of me. Now, I think I'm grateful for the lessons their behavior taught me.
     
    Thought for the day: Youth is not the end of your life, even when you want it to be. Eventually, things change. Until then, sit back, grit your teeth, and know that the adult world is VERY different.

      Sorry I was late with this post, guys. We are looking at a new house and I've been doing paperwork and research lately. See ya next week, readers!


Autism Facts for the week:
Not every autistic child is born with symptoms. Many children do not show signs of autism until they are older. Here is a website with a list of symptoms that are signs of autism in children.

Since this will be my last autism post for the month, I wanted to encourage everyone to look up local programs in your area that work with autistic children and ask what you can do to help. Working through these small companies will help assure that the children benefit directly from your donations.
Thanks for reading!!

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