A few years ago, I remember the day Jason first told me he felt like we needed to consider moving to Decatur, Texas. I was cooking tacos for dinner. Jason usually called me on his hour and a half commute home. I remember crying on the phone and becoming almost hysterical with him.
Angry, sad, scared.
Then, nothing happened. I didn’t bring it up, because I didn’t want him considering moving ME away from MY life in Pottsboro, Texas. I felt safe that we were staying put.
But a year later, it happened. We were uprooted. I was pulled away from everyone and everything I’ve ever known. Did I mention it was only 80-ish miles away from “home”. I know. I’m a little dramatic..
We’ve now been in Decatur for almost 10 months. Very slowly, I started loving our home that’s still under construction. I started loving the cuteness of our little town. We started visiting a church, joined the church. I helped with VBS, then joined the choir, and am now going to be apart of the yearly Christmas Musical. We’ve joined a Life Group. I’ve had coffee with a couple of new friends, did yoga with a fellow autism momma, had a play date - and that momma totally has my same sense of humor.
I am trying to do all of the things to feel home - I’m reallllllllly out of my comfort zone, y'all. I’m trying to make friends. You know - that whole awkward be yourself but then it may be too much so maybe don’t throw it at them all at once and I’m a complete hot mess with a sense of humor that’s slightly inappropriate... you know - ME.
There’s been so many little and big moments that have helped me feel more “at home” with Decatur.
But, today. Today is it.
This is where my family is supposed to be.
Story Time.
When I was in high school, there was a girl, Christina, who was special needs. I’m not sure of her diagnosis - I never asked.
Well, Christina usually sat alone at lunch and really loved to eat ketchup. There were countless times that some of the football players would pick on her and make fun of her. No one ever stood up for her. Instead, there was an audience of students who would laugh, which then encouraged said bully’s to continue their torture on that poor girl. I remember a specific time that one of the students actually pulled her chair out from under her. Monsters.
No one ever took up for her - not even me. And I’m ashamed.
Growing up, the “special kids” were segregated from the rest of us “normal” kids, so it’s only natural that we would notice that they were different and avoid them because it made us uncomfortable.
Now that I’m an autism momma, I see the world a little differently. I don’t ever want my son to be treated like Christina was. She didn’t deserve that and my son certainly doesn’t either. No human being does. I want to educate my children to accept all humans - no matter where they come from, how they dress, the color of their skin, no matter their disability... we are all different, and that’s what’s so unique and beautiful about us all.
So today, MY little town did this:
I couldn’t be more proud of all of the kids, their parents, the staff, and the community for coming together to make sure no one feels left out. What a beautiful lesson we are teaching our children.
Today, I know we are exactly where we need to be. #decaturtx #lovewhatmatters #autismmomma #justinsvoice
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