This post is not about me . It's about my Dad . It's about my Uncle . It is about all of the good men I've been blessed to know and learn from some of whom frequent this site .
My son has autism . Aspedgers to be more precise . He is brilliant , handsome , empathetic , compassionate , funny and sarcastic as all get out and becoming a good man . In spite of all of the easily loved qualities he is still autistic and capable of going emotionally ballistic .
This evening he was out front at his favorite tree by his favorite rope swing swinging for the fences at the swing with a stick . With all the grace of childhood abandon and playful innocence the stick flew from his hand striking the bumper of our neighbors truck . As fate would have it I witnessed the whole thing . So I call my son up the drive and ask what happened . I know what happened and still want to hear his account . We are on the same page . I with all the Elder and Mentor energy I can summon invite him to go take accountability for his actions . I explain that while nothing was damaged that an honorable man is accountable for his actions . He states that he understand and that no one saw . I proceed to tell him that self accountability is the mark of an honorable man and builds trust in those that you are truthful with . The conversation starts to nosedive as anxiety and fear take over . I take him i side and explain that doing hard things stretches your crap container . The more hard stuff you do the more crap you can endure . This is what a man does for the strength to endure hardship for himself and his family . He is now crying and questioning . Mom shows up with dinner and I let it lay for now with " I love you and am not trying to hurt you . I'm trying to make hard stuff easier ." I know my son and am aware that at this point he n÷ds space so I eat in the living room giv8ng him opportunity to talk to Mom 8f he choses . Beglfore I know it my tqelve year old is next door holding himself to account . My intention if he did not was to go over and tell the neighbor after dinner . Very proud of my becoming a good man , twelve year old son . Just ordered a G Shock for him . Gonna honor his moment and then present the watch and tell him that a man needs a good reliable watch and you are a good man .
In closing I am grateful to those whose shoulders I stood on navigating this with my son .
My son has autism . Aspedgers to be more precise . He is brilliant , handsome , empathetic , compassionate , funny and sarcastic as all get out and becoming a good man . In spite of all of the easily loved qualities he is still autistic and capable of going emotionally ballistic .
This evening he was out front at his favorite tree by his favorite rope swing swinging for the fences at the swing with a stick . With all the grace of childhood abandon and playful innocence the stick flew from his hand striking the bumper of our neighbors truck . As fate would have it I witnessed the whole thing . So I call my son up the drive and ask what happened . I know what happened and still want to hear his account . We are on the same page . I with all the Elder and Mentor energy I can summon invite him to go take accountability for his actions . I explain that while nothing was damaged that an honorable man is accountable for his actions . He states that he understand and that no one saw . I proceed to tell him that self accountability is the mark of an honorable man and builds trust in those that you are truthful with . The conversation starts to nosedive as anxiety and fear take over . I take him i side and explain that doing hard things stretches your crap container . The more hard stuff you do the more crap you can endure . This is what a man does for the strength to endure hardship for himself and his family . He is now crying and questioning . Mom shows up with dinner and I let it lay for now with " I love you and am not trying to hurt you . I'm trying to make hard stuff easier ." I know my son and am aware that at this point he n÷ds space so I eat in the living room giv8ng him opportunity to talk to Mom 8f he choses . Beglfore I know it my tqelve year old is next door holding himself to account . My intention if he did not was to go over and tell the neighbor after dinner . Very proud of my becoming a good man , twelve year old son . Just ordered a G Shock for him . Gonna honor his moment and then present the watch and tell him that a man needs a good reliable watch and you are a good man .
In closing I am grateful to those whose shoulders I stood on navigating this with my son .