To be honest, Jill and I tend to detach from most news cycles, even this one. Living with autism pacifies the urge to become involved in the day-to-day drama of current events - this coming from a former "news junkie." We stay informed about local and world events but don't give them much emotional attention anymore. Autism has taught us to put our energies where we need to have them.
Acknowledge
Feel
Release
That is the new life mantra for me. At least, it's the new life mantra I strive to maintain, with much mindful effort.
It's ironic that he has been learning about severe weather in his high-functioning K - 2nd grade class the past few weeks. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, lightening, strong winds, and even hurricanes have been part of his homework assignments. He has become obsessed with "tornado sirens " begging to see images of them on Google, and asking us over and over again, "What do they sound like?" In a sense, he was primed as much as a very bright, autistic seven-year old boy could be for this tragic event. Perhaps it was a blessing.
I'm not entirely sure how much he gets in terms of the loss of life, at least, the significance behind the loss of life. He understands death. He was with me on the day my mom crossed over. He was three. He put his forehead to hers as I told him to say goodbye. He knew she was leaving.
He does feel the severity of the effects of the devastation, which makes me think he knows exactly what happened in Oklahoma this week. The old thinking was that autistic people didn't feel anything. Some of the new thinking proposes that autistic people actually feel too much. I'm with the new thinking.
Acknowledge
Feel
Release
Maybe he gets it already.
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| The tornado siren sounding the alarm. |
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| The storm approaches. |
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| The event. |
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| The devastation. |
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