I don’t know anything about this author, but I love her truth. I hope she had this poem published as a children’s book. You may not have autism, but you can insert your own problem , anything from grief, to cancer to lonliness and more and find that the same truths hold true. Don’t you judge me…and I won’t judge you….

Autism Night Before Christmas by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas and all through the house

The creatures were stirring, yes, even the mouse.

We tried melatonin and gave a hot bath

But the holiday jitters, they always distract.

The children were finally all nestled in bed

When nightmares of terror ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift? The right color and style?

Would there be a tantrum or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come but they don’t understand

The pleasure he gets just from flapping his hands.

“He needs discipline,” they say “Just a well-needed smack,

You must learn to parent” and on goes the attack.

We smile and nod because we know deep inside

The argument is moot. Let them all take a side.

We know what it’s like to live with the spectrum

The struggles and triumphs, achievements, regressions…

But what they don’t know and what they don’t see

Is the joy that we feel over simplicity .

He said “hello!” He ate something green!

He told his first lie! He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty. who cares if he’s ten?

He stopped saying the same thing again and again!

Others don’t realize just how we can cope

How we bravely hang on at the end of our rope.

But what they don’t see is the joy we can’t hide

When our children with autism make the tiniest stride.

We may look at others without the problems we face

With jealousy, hatred or even distaste,

But what they don’t know, nor sometimes do we

Is that children with autism bring simplicity.

We don’t get excited over expensive things.

We jump for joy with the progress work brings

Children with autism try hard every day.

That they make us proud more than words can say.

They work even harder than you or I

To achieve something small, to reach a star in the sky

So to those who don’t get it or can’t get a clue

Take a walk in my shoes and I’ll assure you

That even 10 minutes into the walk

You’ll look at me with respect, even shock.

You will realize what it is that I go through

And the next time you judge, I can assure you

That you won’t say a thing. You’ll be quiet and learn,

Like the years that I did when the tables were turned…