[Autism] I can’t promise that I’ll be the perfect mother at all times

Charlie,

I can’t promise that I’ll be the perfect mother at all times, but I promise I’ll do my best.  

I can’t promise to always make the right decisions for how to help you, but I promise I’ll never give up.

I can’t promise that the uncertainty of your future won’t scare me, but I promise I won’t love you any less if I have to care for you ‘til I’m an old grumpy lady.

I can’t promise to always smile when you’re tearing up the house, but I promise to always work to be more patient.

I can’t promise that the pain on your face from not being able to express yourself won’t break my heart, but I promise I’ll try to understand you and we’ll always work to make it better. 

I can’t promise that seeing kids your age doing the things I’d imagined us doing together won’t occasionally spark in me a passing dash of envy, but I promise to focus on what you can do rather than the things you currently cannot.

I can’t promise I’ll always see the glass half full, but I promise I’ll always try, no matter what other troubles I’m experiencing then.

Charlie, I can’t promise that I’ll always get it right. Sweetie, I will mess up. I already do—probably too often. But you can be sure of one thing, I will love you and fight for you forever and always. 

You can get my book, All Across The Spectrum, on Amazon.