William’s not an easy kid. He does not pick up on social cues. He can be needy. He can be stubborn. He wears all of his emotions on his sleeve, which can mean headspinning swings from weeping, to laughing, to raging, to gleeful enthusiasm. He tries to make jokes that end up being not funny. He doesn’t know when to stop with the teasing. He responds to feeling uncomfortable or excluded by being obnoxious. He’s not an easy kid.
William is an amazing kid. When I was sick with a parasite this summer, he cooked for me. He washed dishes and clothes. He entertained himself and me. He is the most loyal friend you could ever hope to have. He quickly forgives and holds no grudges. You never have to wonder where he stands because he will tell you, no matter who you are. He does not live to be popular and well-liked. He is his own little person and completely unafraid to stand alone. He is intolerant of injustice. He likes to do little things or buy little things for others. He likes to make people smile or laugh. He has a funny, quirky little sense of humor. He is very affectionate. He is multi-talented, but blissfully unaware of it. He is thoughtful and kind and sincere about doing the right thing. He is an amazing kid.
I love this child with all of my heart. Even after nine years, I am still in wonder at being his mom. He is a work in progress–but so am I and so are we all.
I wish people would take time to think when they see a kid like William behaving in a less than attractive way. Think about the fact that we are all works in progress. That we all lose our temper from time to time. That we all have faults and shortcomings. We all like it when people try to look for the good in us when we are not putting our best foot forward. Think that maybe the kids who are the hardest to love are the ones who need it the most.
Don’t judge William and make everything his fault. And don’t judge me as his mom. We’re doing our best, and trying to get better.
Are you?
