It is already November 7. Seriously, where is the time going? Before I know it, it will be Christmas and then a new year! I agree with every person who has ever said that time flies when you get older.

I remember as a kid feeling like time stood still. It felt like summer days lasted for ever and waiting for things was agony. Now, as soon as I have something to look forward to, it seems to arrive and be done! Yikes!

Things are going really well here. I am almost through the probationary period at my new job. I even got business cards yesterday! That really makes me feel official! In addition to my Training Specialist responsibilities, I am blessed to be part of a group that is involved with a program that serves individuals with autism. I got to attend a conference this week on Language Development in individuals with ASD (autism spectrum disorders). It was fascinating!

In addition to being a great resource for work, I learned some things that shed light on some parenting struggles I have been having lately.  Honestly, I have become pretty complacent with the girls,  because we have worked through a lot of the hard stuff. But recently, Sophia and I have been butting heads on one issue. It more or less came to a head last Sunday, when I tried to emphasize to her the importance of something. She, in turn, tried to make it clear to me why she simply could not comply.

I was really feeling like she was being a stubborn teenager. I was even allowing a little resentment to build. But I was reminded at the conference that those individuals with ASD think differently than we do, and that they cannot help how they think. You could have knocked me over with a feather when that realization finally hit me.

Poor Soph. I forget that she has struggles too. She has always been so capable and reasonable. I need to stop trying to push my agenda on her and respect that she is really doing the best that she can.

Additionally, I was reminded how blessed I am by miss Miabug. The steps she managed to work through over the past 12 years have been phenomenal. To hear the stories of other youth with ASD, I can count my blessings. She is remarkable and I am so glad that God chose me to be her mom.

So today is Friday, and this weekend is already packed with errands and family and plans and such. It will be Monday morning before I know it and I will be starting to think on what needs to be done before Thanksgiving gets here.  And before all that happens, I am just going to ask that you stop for one moment. Think about someone in your life who is doing the very best they can in spite of things that might be stacked against them.

Have someone in mind?

Do me a favor? Tell them today  how amazing they are. Tell them you appreciate them. Tell them the things that you might not think to tell them until too much time has passed and the moment is gone.

Happy Friday, y’all.  I appreciate all of you.