Last year as part of her First Things First series, Hartley ran a post by Jennie Linthorst, who teaches poetry therapy, and is the wife of Eric Linthorst, maker of the acclaimed film Autistic-like. In her post, Jennie encouraged parents to "write it down" and explore their complex feelings through poetry.
Once upon a time, in what seems like the life of another woman, I was a "real" writer - short stories, poetry, and an abiding faith that I would indeed one day write the next great Canadian novel. Life took me on a different path... but I always believed I would find my way back to it.
A few weeks ago I was having one of those days when I am really struck by how much Simon's "invisible disabilities" position him to have the best and worst of both worlds; people expect him to be "normal" and yet it is an impossible order for him. The words that started to form in my mind, weren't really coherent thoughts or even complete sentences. They were more like... a poem.
So here is a poem that shares my perspective on who my young son is right now. And in writing it, perhaps I've taken a small step toward finding my way back to who I really am...
Different Enough
Different enough
to feel like an alien.
Same enough
To bleed red.
Different enough
To be hurt by your touch.
Same enough
To crave it.
Different enough
To get tongue tied.
Same enough
To have something to say.
Different enough
To be awkward.
Same enough
To know it.
Different enough
To struggle with standards.
Same enough
To be held to them.
Different enough
To garner their stares.
Same enough
To notice them.
Different enough
To be an outsider.
Same enough
To want in.
The Lego Star Wars Visual Dictionary. My mother thought we were crazy buying that for him. "It's a dictionary, Patty," she said. "Will he really read it?"