The Family

I'm sure you've been dying to find out more about our little family.  Am I right???  Well I could go on and on about how wonderful we all are, how we just love being together every waking minute and how autism has been such a wonderful gift.  But let's be honest here, I'm sure you would rather read about our phobias and insecurities. So as not to disappoint...here we go.  


J2
When J2 was born, my first impression was not "oh look...he's sooooo beautiful" but rather "ooohhhhh... looookk... oooohhhhh... mmyyyyyyy".  I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting...well actually I was expecting a baby like they show on TV.  All smooth and round and well...clean.  Not all wrinkly and like he'd just squeezed through a tube the size of a......I'll save you the visual.  

J2 didn't start talking until he was almost 3 and when he did... HE. NEVER. SHUT. UP!  Not for a single second! In hindsight it has served him well as he can carry on a conversation with just about anybody (a skill I wish I had). Although I hadn't planned on this being a "tribute to us" J2 deserves a lot of credit in the brother department.  I don't want his head to swell too much so will let you decide for yourself.  Here is part of what he wrote in his grad write-up: "Good luck little bro, you’re gonna do great & you never cease to amaze me!  J1, thanks for all of the advice and being there bro!"  *sniff...wiping a tear from my eye*  
   
J2 works full time at a music store and wants to follow in his older brother's footsteps (musician). We don't think he will ever leave home.



J1
I first met J1 when he was only 9 years old. No wonder I feel so old. He was a miniature G. Not so much looks but his mannerisms...OMG...talk about a clone! He was to be the guinea pig for our parenting skills. By the time he hit those wonderful teen years, J2 and Riley were around. He discovered music/playing the guitar in his teens. Always a bonus to discover something you are passionate about in those trying (for parents) teen years.         

He is now in his 40's (not sure if he'd like me to say exactly how old he is or have I already?!?) and lives in Nashville, Tennessee where he makes his living as a musician. I would be more than happy if J2 and Riley turned out as well as J1.  




G

So as not to disappoint by continuing to be so complimentary...G is up next. We hit our 31st anniversary of wedded bliss this year (only seems like 50 as G likes to say). He has been "retired" for almost 26 of those 31 years (only seems like 100 as I like to say). We pretty much do spend every waking minute together although neither of us will say that we love that.  HA! This too has been a "learning" process. Not sure which has been more difficult...autism or retirement?!?!?  


G is an avid golfer. Unfortunately membership on the Senior PGA Tour isn't looking good at this point.  Guess he'll have to settle for being a roadie or fan club president for J1 or J2.  

So there you have it...the low down on our family.  Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary.  Just our definition of a "typical" family with our own set of "differences".  

I'll finish with one of my favourite quotes by T.H. Thompson and John Watson:
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."



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