Letter to Louise

Dear Louise,

Nick is going into his sophomore year in high school. He is a typical American teenager. He spends tons of time on his phone, plays X-box Live and goes out with his friends.

This summer, he has been a camp counselor teaching soccer and heading up the 10 & 11 year-old unit. He sleeps until early afternoon, forgets to text me when and where he needs to be picked up and thinks we, as parents, are the scourges of the universe.

He is not really looking forward to the start of school, but is working on his AP European history summer assignments and enjoying his community-wide required reading. It’s about a boy with Asperger’s syndrome.

It’s about a boy with Asperger’s Syndrome.

He and I have had a few conversations this summer as I wrote the emotional memoir of his developmental journey. As I recalled the events I had buried deep within my psyche, I realize just how precarious those early years were.

Now, I understand how lucky we are.

I know how blessed we are to have met and worked with people like you.

For you, Louise, I recognize how eager and unending your diligence.

I appreciate your open-minded approach to his developmental path.

I remember, as you explained various issues to me, you saying, “He defies everything. Just when I think I have him figured out, he surprises me once again.”

I wonder at your enthusiasm.

I picture you happily working with he and his friends on the floor of his preschool classroom.

You are such an important part of Nick’s development into the amazing person he is today.

I want you to know how much we appreciate you and how much we acknowledge all of your efforts.

Without you, I don’t know if we would be dealing with the typical American teenage issues – his ear being constantly occupied by headphones and his thinking his parents are idiots.

Seriously, thank you for all of this and more. I welcome these typical teenage issues. I welcome them with open arms.

Thank you Louise.

You have made one teenage boy and his family very happy.

So Much Gratitude,

Kim