Age 8:

Single mother, autistic brother

Frustration, irritation

Brother and sister rivalry

Tiny nerves bring tiny tears

Firstborn but feel forgotten

 

Grab little lined paper and pen

Write, express my anger

“Mama dos (does) not like me!

*** always makes me want to do something

And i Do It.

and then she says in a yelling vosie (voice)

stop doing it.

and that makes me think she dos (does) not like me.

the End”

 

Today:

Mother keeps note

Reminds her to make me feel special too

Over time, I learned

My brother is special

He needs extra attention

Living with him is a challenge

Requires reason, resist rage

Lesson: patience rewards

 

Over time, he learned too

Now we get along

Now he looks up to me

Now he is mine to protect

Though he might irritate me still

(as all little siblings do)

I love him and understand his frustrations

 

His world is full of extra obstacles

It’s hard for us to imagine

Lesson: look from others perspective

Learn to empathize

And then we can all live

Civilly,

Peacefully,

And lovingly as a family

Because that is the one thing

That should never have to be without