Tis the Season

I usually reserve this space for stories about David. After all, he is the one with autism. I also tell stories about our older son, Andrew, but usually in the role of a supporting character to the main character David. It has been more than three years since David was diagnosed (yes, I need to rewrite my profile) and I have finally learned that our life does not have to revolve around autism. So, today the story is all Andrew, the main event because he, too, makes me smile, shake my head, laugh, cry and often exhibits wisdom beyond his years.

Last Saturday, Michael was headed out the door to pick Andrew up from a sleep over and as he grabbed his keys, he asked me if he should stop on the way home to get me a mocha. He had a knowing smile on his face because he already knew the answer to that question, but I stopped cleaning long enough to answer in the affirmative.

Apparently, the line at the Starbucks was pretty long by the time they arrived and Michael momentarily considered skipping it altogether until, I am sure, he pictured my disappointed face when I learned that I would not have the benefit of a sudden surge of caffeine to help me race through the house, picking up and cleaning, addressing Christmas cards, wrapping presents and making candied pecans. The drive-through lane was already full, so Michael waited on the access road leading up to the drive through as people often do. When a spot in the lane opened, the woman in the car behind Michael drove around him and into the open spot. Of course, Michael was annoyed, but when it happened a second time, I think he was bordering on enraged. According to Andrew, Michael pulled into the lane almost bumper to bumper behind that woman. He wanted to make sure she "understood" that he, too, had been waiting to pull in, Michael later explained to me.

Andrew sometimes gets uptight and certainly sounded that way when he called me from the car. "I think Dad is going to HIT someone," he told me. "With his fist?" I asked, which would be totally uncharacteristic of my husband.

I am sure that Michael did not even hear the click, click, click, click as Andrew searched for a song on his iPod, which was plugged into the car speakers. I am sure he did not notice when Andrew found the song he had been looking for, or pay attention to the familiar notes as the piano melody began. I am not even sure how long it took him to realize that the song Andrew had chosen was "Let it Be" by the Beatles.

It doesn't really matter what holiday you are celebrating this time of year, Andrew's advice is probably sound. We all could do a better job of letting it be--not getting annoyed when the line is long, not getting so involved in the hustle and bustle, that we forget about the season itself. Now, if you will forgive me I have to go wrap some presents.