Parent's Corner

Reflections of a Special Member From an Ordinary Family
by Carol L. Pitchlyn
(Feb. 02)

What's it like living with a handsome young man who is sensitive to the needs of his loved ones? One who launders for his sister as well as himself without being asked. What's it like watching an individual for many years arise so very early (4:30am to be exact) to prepare for his workday without complaint? And did I mention how handsome he is? Is it rewarding? Is it challenging? Is it stressful? Is it fulfilling? You bet it is!

Come, take a peek into the bedroom, into the house, into the lives of that handsome one, and those who surround him, whose hearts and lives have been touched and changed by him. And did I mention he has autism? His being so handsome may conceal it.

His name is Paul, named after his uncle, Paul B. Graham his mother's brother, who in turn was named after his uncle, Paul M. Graham. Yet, those of us who live with and love him dearly, like to connect our Paul to Paul the Apostle of the Bible who like our Paul was born with a "thorn in the flesh". And like the Apostle Paul, we have prayed in the past for Paul's "thorn" of autism to be removed, yet found comfort in the words of Jesus as He said to Paul the Apostle, "My grace is sufficient" and we accept God's will for his life.

On the lower level of the house facing north on the Cul-de-sac, down the hall from the family room, lies Paul's room with shoes lined so methodically, denim jeans with hanger hooks all facing the same direction, and towels in his bathroom arranged and hanging just so. While two levels above his room, His younger sister's room and bathroom look like a tornado has torn through them. With her budding teenage image, she yells at her brother for getting her things from her room while she's away, but in her little sister heart, she's appreciative to her brother for always having clean underwear available for her. With mom and dad, Paul is always ready to assist. Sometimes too much. I can remember on occasion coming home finding my good silk blouse in the dryer wrinkled like pork chitterlings and small enough to fit a Barbie doll. Yet, for every episode such as that, there are two others that warm our hearts with joy. Like the time we came in and found that Paul had taken time to rewind all the videos and re-cased and re-shelved them -perfectly. And it matters not if we had just arrived home from a one way 300 mile motor trip, when the car moves, Paul wants to be in it. But have I mentioned just how handsome Paul is? If you can't see it in his smile, you'll see it in his heart as we have and learn to appreciate this VERY SPECIAL LIFE.