HELLO READERS! I’m back blogging after an unexpected hiatus. I must say, I needed the break. However, I feel a bit like somebody getting back on the exercise bike after a long self-indulgent vacation–somewhat saddle sore. I truly appreciate those of you who have rifled through my archives in my absence.
Tonight during dinner, Kyle said, “I want to be a singer when I grow up.”
I love that statement, and I’ve been pondering it for a while. It demonstrates that Kyle is thinking about the future, at least in a limited way, which is hard for autistic children. I smile as I think of Kyle’s latest hobby—singing on our karaoke system. Kyle, 14, has made an important transition. He used to be obsessed with his Nintendo games, but once he learned how to use an Ipod, his focus switched to music. He now frequently walks around the house engrossed in the tunes playing in his ear phones, or else he’s downstairs on the karaoke, singing with his heart and soul.
Immediately upon coming home from school, Kyle can be found sprawling on the hallway floor, still wearing his backpack, listening to his favorite songs. (The music is far too important to bother with hanging things up.) Other times he recites random facts about music—like what groups sing which songs, and other trivia. “Freddy Mercury was a singer in the rock band Queen,” he says, and then continues, “Freddy Mercury died of AIDS.”
“Yes, he did,” I say, not sure what else to add to a statement like that.
A few minutes later, he continues, “If I become a singer, I should not get AIDS.”
“Yes, not getting AIDS would be a very good idea,” I say, smirking at his innocence.
Kyle has memorized the lyrics and keys of his karaoke songs, (at least one hundred) and he has perfect pitch. Hearing his voice booming from the basement is reassuring to me. And I like the fact that this new hobby is more age-appropriate than Disney videos or vintage Nintendo games. Recently I even heard Kyle participate in a short conversation about the band “The Eagles” with a classmate at school. He was so motivated about the subject, he stayed engaged in the discussion for a time. All of this is progress. Kyle continues to surpass my expectations, and surprise and delight me.
If my life were a song, raising Kyle would be the part where the band suddenly changes tempo, switches keys, and moves into something unexpected, complex, and beautiful–a breaking away from the predictable rhythm–the bridge. Just like in music, bridges carry us across to the new place we’re supposed to be. In so many ways, Kyle has carried me, and I am grateful.
Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here. Some links on this blog may have been generated by outside sources are not necessarily endorsed by Kristyn Crow.
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