STRAIT TO THE POINT....

You will get the title in a minute...

This is a new year...2008...Little Patrick just turned 8 years old, a little boy who was
given a 10% chance of survival the first 3 months in my womb....he was born a wopping
9 lbs 4 oz...
Meaghan will be 10 this year..double digits is a big deal for her. She is the best sister a
kid could ask for and she is the biggest Diva I have ever met. With the loss of Boey last week,
I cherish all my kids even more.
Caitlin will be 17 next month..I cannot even imagine this. I still remember her being born.
She was stunningly beautiful and has remained that way. She has recently gone through a
transition that blows me out of the water. Caitlin is missing her old friends and cherishing
her new ones. She is attaching to people, even though doctors and specialists told us she
would never do so.
Erin is 11 now and making more friends than ever.
Deirdre is as social as any other 13 year old who thinks her mother is as "dumb as a stump".
I like Deirdre...she is funny. She brings me back down to reality, so to speak.
Then there is Kiernan....he is running me ragged. He is keeping me up on my toes and
to the point of exhaustion. But, I know this is a phase. I went through this with Caitlin,
Erin, and Patrick.
Patrick is helping me when he gets home from work and I cannot wait for school to start
next week....I need a nap.
I have nursed 5 children from the brink of death during Christmas break...okay, that is
an exaggeration...just bronchitis...

Now, MY POINT.....

My favorite singer in the world, the great GEORGE STRAIT, is performing live...in the
round...at the Irwin Center in Austin this week.....and guess what???
I am attending. I am thrilled beyond words.
The tickets were a gift from someone who knows how precious George is to me.
I thank them for that.
George got me through college, NYC, and the rest of my existence.
He makes me smile when I hear him sing.
My daughter Deirdre asked me if I know the words to all of his songs.....
Undeniably YES....without a doubt..every last solitary song.

So, with all the hubbub of Autism...with all the bickering going on the
Autism forums....with all the name-calling, back-stabbing, bologna that
occurs in the world of Autism....I get out a George Strait CD and I am in
my own little happy world.

I don't have time for the squabbling, I have children to raise.
I do not need to out do, out shine, out -bicker, or out Hate anyone.

I wish everyone well in their endeavors to find peace with whatever they
call "Autism"....I know what it is in our home....you need to decide what it is
in yours....

Jeanette