Even though Emma and I traveled all day yesterday to get back to New York City, even though all kinds of things went through my mind as we spent the four-hour layover walking the entire length of the Denver Airport THREE times, in search of the ever elusive Nestle’s Chocolate milk, because no other chocolate milk will do as far as Emma’s concerned, even though I have a number of things I could say about all of that, I’m not. Instead I’m posting these photos taken our last day and night in Aspen.
Because it was so wonderful to witness Nic and three of his friends being so great with Emma. Because the last photo in particular piggybacks on, so beautifully to yesterday’s post about all my fears regarding Emma and neurotypical kids. Because so often fears have nothing to do with reality. And because I need to be reminded of that.
Emma on the Hunt’s trampoline
A young buck in the field right outside my mother’s house
Emma, the Hunt boys, Nic and Jack playing “Dead Man, dead man”
Emma, Nic (doing a flip), Ethan and Jack
Emma was intent on jumping on the trampoline with Nic, the Hunt boys and their friend Jack, but none of them wanted to go. It was already dark out, it had been raining, the trampoline was soaking wet, they were having fun rough-housing, it was unanimous, not one of them wanted to go.
Emma: You have to ask. Nicky, do you want to go on the trampoline?
Nic: No, Em. No. I don’t.
Emma: Ethan do you want to go on the trampoline? Yes? Or No?
Ethan: No.
Emma: Say YES!
The boys start laughing.
Emma: Yes, you do want to go jump on the trampoline.
Ethan: Looking unsure, but smiling at Emma. Well…
Emma: C’mon, let’s go!
And they did. They all traipsed outdoors in the dark and they had a blast. Emma was ecstatic.
And so was I.
Emma's Hope Book 