I am going to a lecture at the Aspen Ideas Festival this morning at 7:45AM in the Doerr-Hosier building called: How to Recognize Happiness. I am going because I’ve been told this session will include something about autism, though if one goes to the AIFestival web site it doesn’t mention autism. But my source is a good one – in fact she is the one who organized the entire week long program, so I’m fairly confident she knows what she’s talking about.
If you don’t know about the Aspen Ideas Festival, it is a week long summer camp for adults. Every day is packed with lectures, panel discussions, interviews, readings, film, videos, etc beginning at 7:45AM and ending well into the night, every day for seven days. I’ve been lobbying for Ideas to include autism in their program now for the past year, so was pleased when I was informed they were doing one talk which would include autism. I will report back tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Emma announced on the phone last night that: “Mommy’s staying with Granma. Mommy is in Colorado.”
To which I replied, “Yes, I am, Em. But I’m coming home in three days! Tomorrow’s Wednesday, then Thursday, then it’ll be Friday and I’ll be home!”
There was dead silence and then after about ten seconds she said, “Bye Mommy!” I could hear Richard saying, “Wait Em! Don’t hang up, don’t hang up!”
Apparently my promise that I’ll be returning home on Friday is one of those – I’ll believe it when I see it – situations. Emma was not impressed.
A friend of mine suggested I stay in Aspen over the Fourth. “I need to get home before my kids forget what I look like,” was my response.
Friday, Em. I promise.
For more on autism and Emma’s journey through a childhood of it, go to: www.EmmasHopeBook.com
Emma's Hope Book 
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads
up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same outcome.