My son's story

[Guest guest]

My 21 year old son, who is doing well now, but definitely exhibited aggression when he was younger, spent the day with a friend of his. She lives in a group home for young ladies his age. We were traveling back to his apartment this evening. He was telling me that the lady who runs the group home was asking him all sorts of questions. She told him how smart he was, and asked him about his special needs.

He said, "I listed everything I could think of, but I told her mainly Bipolar Disorder and Asperger Syndrome My mom is a special ed. teacher and she always says that I am the best professor she ever had". He sat quietly for a minute, then he said, "I've been thinking about that conversation all day and I realized that my life is funny and sad."

I said "Yeah, your story this morning was so funny, I considered bringing a tape recorder during this trip."

He laughed and asked me if I wanted to hear it again. I assured him that once was enough. Then he said, "I'm really glad you get it, my brain doesn't work like everyone else's. I just see things differently" . Indeed.

I said, "sweetie, that is what makes you, you- sometimes when you tell me what you are thinking about I feel like laughing and pulling my hair out at the same time- that is a gift".

He said, "Mom, that's why I tell you. Sometimes people make fun of me, but I know that you will listen and I also know that you are not laughing at me, you are laughing with me, because I know that I am the one who gets it and the rest of you are crazy."

Gotta love that kid!