Many of you know that our son, Jared, is autistic. Sometimes, that presents some challenges when it comes to knowing how to parent him; however, the joy he brings to our lives reminds us of how blessed we are to have him.
He truly is an amazing kid. He is so loving and sweet. He has a tender heart and loves Jesus so much. As a toddler, we thought he would never talk. Some are probably laughing right now, since Jared speaks, and often too much. He really has come a long way.
He is in the 3rd grade, and has been attending school since he was 3. Every teacher he has had has told me how Jared has touched their lives. I often hear someone say of him, "I love that kid. He makes my day." That makes a Mom's heart soar. Uh, oh, I'm getting teary-eyed as I type.
In many ways, he is a typical kid ( he likes to watch SpongeBob, likes to ride his bike, argues with his brother and sister, and likes computer games.) However, we understand that he is different in a lot of ways, and sometimes it is difficult to know just how to guide and teach him. It is at those times, that I remember the words someone once said to me, "God gave you Jared because he knew you were the best mommy he could have."
I just thank God for giving us Jared. He teaches us so much. I also want to thank our family, church family, teachers, and friends, for the love and patience you have shown to Jared - and to Kandra and Jonah, as well.
Has Jared touched your life?
Go ahead and leave a comment ( I reset my settings so anyone can leave one).
15 comments:
Elizabeth, thank you so much for sharing this with me. It is very brave of you to write about your life for other people to see, but you are such an awesome witness to those around you.
I'm not sure why, but I feel a certain connection to autism and those that live with it. I often find that children with autism are the best teachers--I have learned so much from the kids I've worked with. Your son is a special gift to this world.
CNN has been having tons of shows on autism this month. I saw Jenny McCarthy on yesterday talking about her son. (If you haven't yet read her book "Louder that Words", I highly recommend it). She and Jim Carrey are sponsoring a walk in Washington D.C in June.
Are you guys coming to the Autism Walk on Saturday? Look for me--I'll be there!!
thanks again for your beautiful story!
--Amanda
For those who have never been around Jared you are missing out. He has so much to share in a differnt light I never thought of. My favorite is his keyboard concerts. Keep ROCKIN Jared!
coach
Oh my baby Jared I love you so much Mijo I remember those hard days long ago but we stuck with it and you've come along way. You have made a very BIG impact on my life. You mean the world to us. Jared is truly an amazing boy, there is never a dull moment when Jared is around he will always keep you happy, I know that he has always made my day. I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH TIA UNGA
Jared you are a very special boy to me, since I've first met you mijo you have always touched my life you mean the world to me. You always make me smile even when I don't feel like it. Thanks for being in my life I love you alot Tio Arturo
Amaya & Joseph love you too thank you Betty for sharing this about Jared he is very special to us all
Well, You know I love Jared...he makes me laugh, he's very honest, forward and up-front with me. I love him sooooo much, (even when he tells me it's time to go home...LOL!) no one compares:)
ABBY
Jared,u r a very special boy I love u so much even though u drive me nuts sometimes.U always make me laugh. I hope that God will keep u our lives for a very long time. I love u
your best sister ever,Kandra
Hi Jared, this is your Tia Cassi! I have always lived so far away from the moment you were born. I still remember when your mom and dad lived in a tiny apartment and I was one of the first to find out that she was pregnant with you. What a joy that was. Then you were born and i was pregnant with Domenik. I came to Texas to visit you and saw you in the hospital. At that moment I knew you would be special to me forever!! I held you in my arms, with that little IV in your little body, and I cried! What a blessing you are mijo!! Each time I am able to come home to Texas, I feel like in your eyes, I was never gone. You run up to me and hug and tell me you love me. You give the BEST hugs. It is always so hard to leave too, especially with you saying, "NO, NO, Tia Cassi...DON'T leave me!!" Honey I don't know if you will ever know how much of a lasting impact you have had on me and how you have taught all who know you the power of such precious innocent LOVE!! God has BLESSED ALL of us with your presence in this world. You WILL do great things in your life honey...I just know it!! I love you and miss you so much. God Bless you my baby!!
Tia Cassi!!
On the day you were born I yelled out because I was so happy I had a son. My firstborn son! My mind and heart filled with dreams and hopes. Those dreams and hopes are still alive in me for you. I know that God has a special plan for your life. He is going to use you in a mighty way. He made you the way you are for his purposes and plans. Your love shows to everyone that you know. You are a hugger and a kisser and most people you meet know this very well. When I dedicated you I anointed your head, your lips, and your feet. For the mind of Christ, The words of Christ and the footsteps that Christ would have you to walk. Not long after you were born people began to say things about the things you'd never be able to do and I never doubted the plan that God has for you. When you were anointed your destiny was laid out. Around the time you were dedicated we had to take you in with a high grade fever. We were scared as any parents would be but we knew in our hearts that God would preserve you and keep you here to touch so many peoples lives. I love you so much. You just don't know how much you have taught me about loving others. God gave you to me and mommy and to others for a special reason. One of the funniest and smartest things you have always done is quote movie lines when someone says something to you. And it always makes sense. I have no idea how you do it but it always makes me laugh so much. There are times when a father gets frustrated and we have had those times but more than that we have had times of joy, love, fun, and learning together. I'm so proud of you and how you have grown and proven so many wrong. I love you my son. I always will.....Your Daddy Mac.
What I love most about Jared is his zeal for living each day to its fullest.
His passion for life and worshipping God in total abandonment makes me wonder if maybe I'm the one that should be labeled as being autistic and not him. Because Jared is excellent with the issues that matter most to God: faith, family and loving everyone unconditionally.
Thank you Jared for being such wonderful example to all of us. I need to be more like you, love!
Ida
(And your deadpan form of delivering one liners make me laugh so much!!)
When Jared was born I loved him so very much never knowing that he and I were going to be so very close and attached to each other. Every time I go to see all three of my precious grandchildren, I hated to leave because Jared would cry and he wanted for me to leave my pillow, that way I would come back quickly because he had my pillow. I would go home feeling sad because he would hold me and tell me not to leave and he said that grandmas are not suppose to work. He still tells me that everytime I go to see them. He is so special and loving and I pray that the love God has given to him, will always be in his heart so that others may be touched just like his grandma who feels the warmth and tenderness of the love that comes from this wonderful gift that God gave us, whose name is Jared Josiah. Grandma Paula
Jared is such a special little boy, full of life and never at a loss for words. Jared does have a passion for worshipping God. When I see Jared playing the tambourine and jumping up and down during a church service, I often think this must have been the way King David worshiped God. Maybe just maybe, God is wanting me to Worship him with the enthusiasm and passion Jared possess. Jared, we love you.
Benjy, Anabel, Micah, Hannah and Seth Boy.
There are so many things to love about Jared. But perhaps the thing I love the most about him is his sincerity. When I think of Jared, I think of what Jesus said of Nathanael: "Here is a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false". Jared is the real deal!
Betty,I am so proud of you for doing this!
I want you to know that even though I am not there much,Jared is very special to both me and Fred,we love him so,in fact,I sometimes catch myself being a bit parcial to Jared and I have other grandchildren also.I love Jared with all my heart.He is so special and loving,has the cutest sayings and is able to warm your heart with his little songs he sings.his memory is absolutely flawless,which just amazes me.
Jared, your Omi and Grandpa Fred love you very much,dont ever forget since we are not around much.I think about you dayly.God has created you special so we can all learn from you in some way or another.
may the Lord keep you safe and happy alway's.I love you.
Grandma[Omi]Monique.
I'm sorry I'm so late on leaving comments! I can't tell you enough how much I love that kiddo! I remember when he was born, rocking him to sleep, potty training (hilarious), first day of school, him knocking me over at church last Sunday when he ran up to give me a hug and all the other special times that fit into those. My life is so much brighter with JJ!
Love you all,
Magaly
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