From my wife, in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

Four things parenting a child with autism has taught me:

1. Expectations bring disappointment (a restful weekend away is anything but, yet suddenly wandering together silently through aisles at the public library, bliss).
2. You have more patience than you think you do.
3. Compassion for oneself and others brings instant happiness.
4. The boy sitting alone in chalk on the playground will astound you.