She was long, tall and bronze. Moving at a brisk pace, sometimes slightly hunched over. Hunched and not realizing it, maybe, she thought if she leaned forward, she could make it faster to her destinations. Today she was on her way to the grocery store, to pick up the week’s groceries. She lived in another city far from home with no family. Unfazed by the lack of support, she danced forward to her life’s drum. She had made what some considered a serious mistake the worst mistake, she had fallen in love. Waiting at home was a husband and three children. One child was recently diagnosed as autistic. The thought of what this meant was still yet unrealized. In the back of her mind was the hope that maybe there was a pill or a procedure that could fix the problem. The waves of pain swept over her, as she wept while shopping. As she came home, she was greeted by the family and begin to prepare the evening meal. There was the usual chatter, but no one spoke about the problem. Autism. Not that day. Life went on as if normal.
JJENCARE1It took a moment to realize it was life. It was normal.
1991