Awesome Astleys

 Alex is starting to really notice his differences.  Today after school while Kaitlyn pulled all of the gallon sized ziplock bags out of their box and then tossed clothes pins all over the dining room, we talked about differences.  I started by telling Alex that his differences are what make him unique . . . special.  He responded with, "If differences are so great then why are people always mean to people who are different."

Let me just stop right here and point out that he shut me up quick.  I paused, thinking about what he said because, you know, he's right.  We tell our kids that differences are what make us special and then go out and judge people based on their differences.  Think about it.

I told Alex that he was right, but not everyone was that way.  I explained that if people were honest they would have to admit that we all have differences (as well as flaws.  I mean, come on . . . none of us are perfect).  I told him that so many people try so hard to be like everyone else and they just become another face in the crowd.  I said, "Here you are with your differences and you stand out -- not only as a special needs kid but also as a kid who refuses to give up, who works twice as hard as others and who has one of the best attitudes about life that I have ever known.  He gave me his trademark response -- a smile.  I said, "You don't need to worry about being like everyone else.  You need to just focus on being the best YOU you can be."

Then he said, "We are different."  I said, "What do you mean?"  He said, "Our family.  We're different."  Well, I can't deny that so I agreed.  Ha.  He said, "Our home is even different than other people's homes."  He's right. We don't really care for new stuff.  We prefer old stuff.  Old stuff has a history to it, a life and a story.  New stuff, while shiny and new is just not the same.  Take our dining room table.  It is older than me and has places where people have carved or written things on it from decades ago.  It's really cool. Our house is also full of color.  We love color!  I said, "Do you like our home?"  He said, "Oh, yeah, it's cool.  I love our home and I love our family. We're like super heroes.  The Awesome Astleys!"  Logan chimed in and said, "Yeah, like The Incredibles except we don't wear really tight suits."  I laughed and said, "Awesome Astleys, huh?"  Alex smiled.  I said, "You know what that means?  That means you're Awesome Alex."  He said, "I'm not awesome but I like the name."  I said, "You watch your younger brother do things you can't do every single day.  You keep trying, you work twice as hard, you never give up and most of the time you have a wonderful attitude about your life and about who you are.  THAT makes you awesome."

I got a hug.

Our story continues. ;)
(I have some ziplock bags and clothes pins I need to go pick up!)