Yesterday was one of those days when everything felt harder, everyone seemed grumpy, everything seemed to go wrong. Yesterday felt like this:
By the time I got home I didn’t even try to conceal my irritability. “You okay?” Richard asked when he saw me walk in. “Just feeling out of sorts.” Richard nodded his head.
I stayed away from everyone, tried to keep my interactions to a minimum lest I take my grumpiness out on my family. After an hour or so I could feel my mood lifting. Richard and I had the following conversation.
Me: Standing in doorway Hey honey?
Richard: deeply engrossed in writing Uh-huh?
Me: What do you think about having some down time, you know, just you and me?
Richard: still writing Yeah. That sounds good.
Me: Still standing in doorway Um. Yeah. Like, you know. Just the two of us.
Richard: Looking up from the computer. Yeah. Okay.
Me: Continuing to stand in the doorway
Richard: Yeah Big grin. I’d like that.
Me: Reaching for “Autism is a World” DVD Great! Cause I’ve got this autism video I’ve been wanting to watch with you… Waves video in the air.
Richard: confused look, trying to assess whether I’m being serious. He knows me and knows this is just the sort of thing I might suggest, though the previous dialogue suggests otherwise. So he’s trying to figure it out. I can see him going through the mental gymnastics.
Me: Laughing
Richard: Look of relief.
Me: Does a little dance.
Richard: Glad you’re feeling better.
Fade to black
*As my friend Ib would say – on a lateral side note – I am off to the UN today for The Fifth Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities moderated by Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief, Advocacy and Special Events, Department of Public Information, United Nations. I intend to speak up about the need for including Autistic voices (emphasis on the plural) at any and ALL meetings such as this one. Wish me luck. It’s a beautiful day!
Related articles
Emma's Hope Book 