Women Speak Online

Dot to Dot

By Sheila Cisneros

There are “The moments” that happen to us in our lives that are like a divine dot to dot that make up one’s life big picture.

We all can recall when in one moment a person, place, thing or event changed us or perhaps changed everything. The births of our first and second child were perfect beautiful blessings, the answer to our prayers.

Further down the line our third child Sammy would be born. I make no mistake when I tell you that I had one of those magical moments the night he was born. It was just the two of us left alone to settle into the night.

Just the two of us left alone to discover one another. The rain fell softly, the only sound on the window glass.

I lifted my tiny bundle that slept so peaceful and laid him down on the soft white cloud of pillows. Street lights from the parking lot below simultaneously lit and burst through our private room.

My attention was abruptly turned as I gazed in awe. The lights shining through a thousand drops of rain illuminated my new born child. Tiny sparkles like diamonds that were heaven sent danced across his skin.

Here is a star!

My eyes filled with tears of love. I am sure there must have been a few angels watching on because I’m sure they wouldn’t have missed that one. I knew he had to be special.

I was given a sign.

Two years later came a big black dot. Sammy was diagnosed with Autism. Tears of anger and fear came down. I’m sure there were angels looking on then too, but I’ll bet some halos shook at the sight of a clueless mother that needed to learn a lesson or two.

Autism is yet a big question mark at the time of this writing. Intense research, many, many dollars, and still more theories. But I know that God knows Sam is a jewel. He is our family’s bright spot with his humor, tenderness, compassionate nature, and his love for everyone and everything.

Yes, he is a challenge, to us, himself, his teachers, and his friends. In spite all this, what a blessing! I encourage you to turn your attention on someone with Autism; they could just well be one of your connecting dots!