First I Am Dad: Getting It

This 10 year old autistic child gets it. I look at people everyday, supposedly savvy, sophisticated adults, leaders, trendsetters, and followers alike, who don't get it at all. Not like this boy, my son, my hero. I know a lot of you who read this get it but there are many, many more out there who do not get it. Sometimes I think the more "important" someone is the less likely they are to get it.

What is it?

On a Sunday afternoon spent together, somewhere between brunch at IHOP and book shopping at Barnes & Noble, my son looks at me and says, "We make a GREAT team dad. Especially when we laugh together."

And that is it. Love and laughter. Everything else is barely useful clutter. There will be pain and tears but as long as we return to love and laughter we will be okay.

Love your children, your parents, your siblings, your family and your friends. Love them and laugh with them and you will have everything you will ever need. I know I do.