Musings of a Move

So we made it!  We have begun the next chapter of our lives as the Texas Currys!  It has been quite an interesting few days around here, so I thought that I would write about some different stories about our move (with Ryan’s insights of course!)

The Father/Son Reunion

We picked Randy up very late last Tuesday night.  Ryan and Grace went with me to the airport and by the time we got home, it was midnight.  Ryan was in his room and I asked him, “What do you think about your dad being home?!!”  SO NOT VERY HAPPY.  I was completely shocked.  “Why?”  BECAUSE I HAVE TO GO TO BED. Phew.  I was worried about that answer!!!

Fish Food for Thought

We were running around, trying to get things ready for the movers when I noticed that Ryan was spending a lot of time just hovering near our two betta fish.  I brought the letter board to him and I asked him what he was thinking about.  CARING ABOUT MY FISH AND ANCHORING DEARLY MY THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING A PET OWNER.  I said to Ryan, “Your use of language is so beautiful and your vocabulary is so amazing.  How did you learn to use those words?”  YOU ARE HELPING ME BY READING TO ME.  “It almost sounds like poetry, I wonder if you would like to do some lessons on poetry, like Haiku poems and famous poems?”  KNOW THAT I LOVE POETRY.  Well, add that to the list of lessons that I need to create!

***As a side note, our two fish, Margaret and Baena, did not survive the move.  We tried so hard as we bought special bags and a cooler and read up on how to transport fish for a move.  It seems as though the moving truck was just too hot.  We have not told the kids yet.  I would love to hear from our readers on how you have told your children news about the death of a pet.  If you are so inclined to share, please let us know in the comments.***

Tools and Repairs

Randy wanted to measure Ryan’s old room.  He took out a tape measure, and since Ryan has been interested in tools/repairs, thought that he would ask Ryan for help.  He wanted Ryan to hold one end of the measuring tape, but Ryan was having trouble.  Randy then tried to have Ryan use his foot to keep the tape measure down.  That was difficult for Ryan too.  Randy ended up getting the measurement and then came out to tell me about trying to get Ryan’s help and including him in the process.  I went back to Ryan’s room and found Ryan crying.  I asked him “what’s wrong?” NOT ALWAYS GOOD AT HELPING WITH USING TOOLS.  MY NOT COOPERATING BODY IS TOO MUCH FOR ME TO HANDLE.  As you have probably realized, Ryan is very sensitive and he is also very aware of his limitations.  Randy and I reminded him that practice makes perfect and we reflected on how long it has taken him to become as fluent as he is with the letter board (19 months!)

The Move

The movers came a day early.  Yes, that’s right, a day early.  I answered the door in my pajamas.  Needless to say, Randy and I were flustered and stressed out.  Our kids did not flinch at all.  Both Ryan and Grace rolled with the punches.  I asked Ryan how he was able to stay so calm and cool:  NOT MUCH DEMAND ON ME.  Later, he went right up to one of the movers and smelled him.  Ryan does this a lot to people, especially new people.  I apologized to the mover and then I asked Ryan why he does that:  JUST EACH ONE OF AUTISTICS DIFFERENT WAYS OF CHECKING PEOPLE.

The New House

We arrived in Texas on Saturday night.  We were all anxious to get to the new home.  Once we got here and checked it out, I asked Ryan his thoughts about it:  EACH DAY CAPABLE OF AMAZING THINGS IN THIS HOUSE.  I asked him, “What are you most looking forward to?”  ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I CANT WAIT TO DO IS GO IN THE POOL.

His Room

Randy and I asked Ryan about his thoughts on his room.  SO MY ROOM DOOR IS NOT DRILLED RIGHT.  I looked at Randy and we both were shocked.  Ryan’s door was automatically closing prior to our arrival.  This past week, our brother-in-law, Patrick took the time to make the necessary adjustments to the door so that it would not shut automatically.  This meant that the hinge on the bottom was ever so slightly off.  I mean so slightly that I would never have noticed it.  Randy told him what Uncle Patrick had fixed and asked Ryan if that is what he was referring to.  YES.  I stood there in amazement.  I said to Ryan, “How did you notice that?”  SO KNOW THAT I PERFECTLY PHOTOGRAPH ALL THINGS THAT I SEE IN MY MIND.  AUTISTICS ARE WAY MORE OBSERVANT THAN MOST PEOPLE.  Randy then chimed in to ask Ryan if it would surprise him to know that he is just like that and would have noticed it too.  EACH DAY I REALIZE I AM MORE LIKE DAD THAN MOM.

So please forgive us for a break in the blog last week.  We are still swimming in a sea of boxes here, but I still hope to publish a few posts a week, especially when Ryan’s insights are poignant.  We also still have a few readers’ questions left, so we will get to those too.  Yeehaw and thanks for reading!!