My well-meaning husband linked this blog-in-progress to his Facebook page without my permission. I was livid when I saw it. I immediately called him up and quietly asked for his password. He could tell I was angry because I didn't raise my voice even a little.
"OK. Why?"
"Because you linked to my blog and I didn't want you to. I wanted it to be private."
"You didn't tell me that. Why write a blog if you don't want anyone to see it?"
Why, indeed? I wanted people to see it, just not anyone I know. I liked the idea of venting to the universe, bitching about my problems in a way that might be seen by many or none. I figured if I didn't tell anyone about the blog, the only people who would see if would be people who found it by accident. They'd either read it or pass it by, and it wouldn't matter. Maybe a stranger would read it and it would strike a chord and that would be really, really great.
Because the thing is, I don't want my friends to know how much I resent them sometimes.
My friends, who send us lovely Christmas cards, with all of their children looking into the camera.
My friends, who complain when their child has an ear infection. Yes, ear infections hurt and they suck. I get it. But you know what cures an ear infection? Penicillin. You know what cures autism? Fuck all.
My friends, who watch TV at night, or read, or exercise, or, I dunno, sleep.
My friends, who don't have to lock their fridges and pantries and doors, because their children don't get up at night and butter the couch. (Yes. As God is my witness, the boy has buttered the couch on more than one occasion.)
There's so much that parents of typical kids take for granted, and on bad days, I can hate them for it. I hate when they complain and I hate when they sympathize. They'll say, "I know I shouldn't even say anything, because you have it way worse, but..."
And I hate them for that, too.
It's not fair or rational, I know. But it's how I feel sometimes. I resent people I really like, and I don't want them to know about it. So my husband removed the link months ago, and I'm just getting around to posting this. Hopefully, the people we know have forgotten that my effin' autism blog even exists.
I don't know you, but I admire you! I stumbled on your blog after seeing a link to the "Effing Sheep Movie" post on Facebook. I have gone back to the beginning and am about halfway through reading every single one of your posts. I am a momma of two daughters, neither or which are on the spectrum--but I am a teacher/librarian that's been in education for 24 years, so I've loved on (and wanted to run screaming from) my fair share of kids with all kinds of issue and whatnot.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you write about your frustrations and successes with the boy--you are helping people immensely with your transparent TRUTH about what it's like to live with a child that has super special needs.
So...kudos to you....I plan to keep reading. By the way, I don't like to think God's a douche-bag either. ;) Autism sucks. Plain and simple. Thank you for helping people not feel so alone. Again, I admire you.
Blessings!
Thank you so much for reading and your kind words!!
ReplyDeleteOh, sweet Lord. Buttering the couch. You got me on that one. And the gin's just kicking in . . . I'm laughing so hard. You're my newest bloggy best friend.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do the same! It's true...all your effin' pathos are true true true!
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish blogs had a "like" button for comments! Glori B. that cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog but I like it a lot! I don't blog at all but I enjoy reading about other families living with the "joys" of autism.
ReplyDeleteBravo! Bravo! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteYou took the words right out of my mouth, I've felt this way for the past 22 years and I'm Fricking pissed off too! Gawd it's so irritating the whining normal families share that really rubs me wrong. Thanks for sharing, best thing I've read all month autism related!!!! ������