Dear Readers,
I could pretend it doesn’t. I could trick myself but what’s the point. Who does that help? Honesty helps. Feeling helps.
I stood in a store tonight picking out a few new shirts and shorts for my soon-to-be sophomore. As I stood there, I watched a gaggle of boys run through the section.
They talked about school tomorrow. Who was driving who. I noticed their hair. What they were wearing. And how they talked. They were wearing shirts from the school that my boy used to go too. Before we sat around a table and they told me he was too challenging. Too severe. Too much.
They said they couldn’t serve him. I felt every emotion all at once. I didn’t want it to be true. But it was done.
I had held on and fought as long as I could. Public education with typical peers was done.
Right or wrong. Best or not. It happened.
These boys will never know my son.
In a different world they could have been my son’s friends.
I grabbed four shirts for him. I don’t really know what is cool, so I guessed. And giggled at how short the shorts are these days for men.
I grabbed socks for him, and I thought about the self-injuring he’s been doing to his feet. He will need extra socks every day because the once mosquito bites are now wounds that he can’t seem to leave alone. It’s a problem. One of many.
I picked out a water bottle that I hope he can drink out of. They can be tricky sometimes.
And a thermos for his chicken nuggets. The only food he has ever brought in his school lunch.
I labeled everything with his name. Because he can’t tell anyone what is his.
And I thought about how if someone finds his bag will they know who he is?
I’m going to write an email now to his new teacher. I’m going to explain how he communicates and what his triggers are and that he has money in his lunch account if he wants a cookie.
Please protect him.
Please be patient with him.
Please be nice to him.
Please include him.
Please believe in him.
Please deliver him back to me safely.
Cooper is back to school September 2nd. When do your kids started? Are you excited? Nervous?
Thoughts on this post? Leave a comment.
Love,
Kate
It’s more important than one would think.
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If my book has been on your radar, I would be so grateful if you’d consider preordering it. Your support doesn’t just help launch a book—it helps launch the dreams behind it.
Thank you for believing in authors, stories, and the magic of books. It truly means more than you know. ❤️
Thank you!
Preorder here to get your copy!
Come swim with us on August 23rd at Hastings Family Aquatic Center. This is a great opportunity for your kiddos have some fun and to meet other local families!
Join me in Ohio on August 22nd!
You matter, and that’s why this event is for you.
Caregiving asks so much of you—emotionally, physically, and mentally. Each day it’s about you going the extra mile……
And most days, there isn’t space to stop and be poured into.
This event was created with you in mind. Not as another obligation, but as a place to pause, connect, and breathe.
You don’t have to hold it all together here.
You care for everyone, let us care for you!
Tickets now available, we hope to see you there!
Welcome to my little corner of the internet best known as Finding Cooper’s Voice. I named this blog over 13 years ago, back before my son was diagnosed with autism. When I picked the name, I thought my job was to help him find his voice. What I didn’t realize was he would actually help me find mine. Thank you for being here.
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