Just for Today
I'd like to share a poem written by Delia Thompson, which was originally published online in the Child Autism Parent Cafe (http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/just-for-today.html). I like this poem because it describes the parent-child relationship between a mother and her child, who happens to have been diagnosed with Autism. I believe that every parent is a parent first, and that we frequently give parents so many directives once their child has been diagnosed that the parent-child relationship can become strained and even turn into one that could be more accurately characterized as a parent-teacher relationship. This poem serves as a reminder to me that children are children first, no matter what.
Just for Today
Just for today, little one,
I'm going to forget that you're autistic
And remember that you're a child.
For this brief shining time,
I will only see the beauty of you and your world.
I will marvel at the spun gold of your hair in the sunlight.
How can anything be so impossibly brilliant?
I will see the blue-green of your infinite eyes
And not worry if they focus on me.
I will admire your concentration
And not mind that it isn't directed in the usual way.
Your smile and laugh will bring me joy.
It won't matter what caused them,
They are marvels unto themselves.
Through your eyes I will delve into the unseen,
Looking at the world with that perspective unique to you.
I will see your lines of leaves and stones
And share your happiness at their precision.
I will close my own eyes
And let the textures you explore overwhelm my senses.
Spinning in circles with you,
I will let go until all is lost but the dizzy.
Just for today,
I will close my books and ignore the research,
The worry, the 'shoulds' and the shadowy future.
You are my baby, my son, my love.
Today, we play.
Tell me what you think of this poem by posting a response to this blog.
Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com
Just for Today
Just for today, little one,
I'm going to forget that you're autistic
And remember that you're a child.
For this brief shining time,
I will only see the beauty of you and your world.
I will marvel at the spun gold of your hair in the sunlight.
How can anything be so impossibly brilliant?
I will see the blue-green of your infinite eyes
And not worry if they focus on me.
I will admire your concentration
And not mind that it isn't directed in the usual way.
Your smile and laugh will bring me joy.
It won't matter what caused them,
They are marvels unto themselves.
Through your eyes I will delve into the unseen,
Looking at the world with that perspective unique to you.
I will see your lines of leaves and stones
And share your happiness at their precision.
I will close my own eyes
And let the textures you explore overwhelm my senses.
Spinning in circles with you,
I will let go until all is lost but the dizzy.
Just for today,
I will close my books and ignore the research,
The worry, the 'shoulds' and the shadowy future.
You are my baby, my son, my love.
Today, we play.
Tell me what you think of this poem by posting a response to this blog.
Blessings,
Mary
www.AlternativeAutismSolutions.com
Posted by Mary Riposo at 10/30/2009 9:32 AM 
Categories: Inspirational
Tags: delia thompson autism just for today poem
Categories: Inspirational
Tags: delia thompson autism just for today poem
Mary,
What a beautiful poem. Thanks for directing us to this website. It is one of the best with helpful information on many aspects of autism.
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Hi Kamalani,
I agree, www.Child-Autism-Parent-Cafe.com is a great site! For all of you who haven't taken a peek, make sure to check it out! We are getting ready for Halloween here- how about on the Island?
Blessings,
Mary
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Hello
Hey this is very nice poem.Its well written with beautiful words and I like this poem very much.I like that you share this poem with us.You have done a good job.
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Hi Myrtille,
Nice to meet you and thanks for the kind words I appreciate it!
Blessings,
Mary
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Being "now" focused is so important in life.
This poem is wonderful, not so much because it is of Byron or Shelley, but because, like Byron and Shelley, the author is able to take delight in the beauty that is present rather than seeking to name the beauty that is not.
One can do that with any person. I would hate to see someone observe only the unattractive things about me, for example.
So, thank you for the poem, more for the images of the moment and the hope of the moment explained within its lines, than for anything else.
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Hi Gaston,
I couldn't agree with you more that being "present" and "in the moment" is so important in life. I love how you described what comes through in the poem as "the hope in the moment"; that's a lovely way of putting it. Instead of focusing on what's lacking, if we are truly in the moment, anything is possible.
Blessings,
Mary
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