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By Jessica Watson

Life after loss with autism, preemies and a rainbow baby

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No Words

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Just as I was about to ask if she remembered where the trash can was, I realized what they were.

Jagged cut squares with penciled in pictures, some printed from the computer,

and she was searching the house for velcro.

A communication board.

A way to communicate for children with autism who cannot speak.

She was making one of her own?

But she has words, an unlimited vocabulary that is impossible to quiet.

But there was a day she did not.

4th birthday

A day when I velcroed and laminated and cut out the words we needed most.

Sleep. Eat. Bus.

So today, I am forgiving the mountain of paper on the floor and the ravaged drawers.

My teenager is making a communication board for a little girl at camp who cannot speak.

And for this,

I have no words.

——————–

This post is linked up with

Mama’s Losin’ It

 

Prompt #2: Write about a child you find inspiring.

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  3. Annie @ Maximum Chaos says

    That is so precious and sweet. I adore when our children surprise us with their massive huge hearts and tender gestures.

  6. MamaRobinJ says

    Oh, so awesome. You must be dripping with mama pride.

    PS Love the new look.

  8. Erin Margolin says

    Now I am the one with no words. But I do have plenty of tears. This was so simply, yet powerfully written, Jessica. Ashlyn is awesome and inspiring, just like YOU! thanks for sharing this special moment with us.

    xoxoo

  9. molly says

    What a wonderful post and an amazing girl =)

    I work for a hospice company and we have volunteers who make textured blankets for our dementia patients. It helps to jump start memories and also keep their hands/minds busy because they have a lot of anxiety.

  11. Tonya says

    Beautiful post, Jessica. Your words always inspire me, just like it sounds like your daughter inspires you. Thank you for sharing them here.

  14. Jennie B says

    Oh my, Jess. This took my breath away. She is amazing. It fills me with such warmth to know how far our kids can come.

    • Jessica says

      It truly blew me away, to think they say kids with autism aren\’t in tune with the world around them.

  15. Sherri says

    I am so teary over this, Jessica….your daughter has the biggest heart. Your stories about her just put everything into perspective for me.

    Your heart must just explode at times…

  18. Jessica says

    What an amazing daughter you have! Great post!! Stopping in from Mama Kats, and so glad I did!

  25. Elena @NaynaDub says

    Ashlyn is simply amazing. I can’t wait to tell Alexa about this! She’ll be so proud of her.

  27. Kimberly says

    You have raised a wonderful and kind little girl. You are both truly inspiring.

  29. Jennifer says

    I too had goosebumps reading this and tears that came to my eyes. What a loving and amazing daughter you are raising. I definitely feel you are all blessed with each other and her compassion for other children is beautiful. She is special. Your post was perfect. I am glad I didn’t miss it.

  30. Mama Apples says

    Okay, I’m crying. And just think, some people believe that autistics have no empathy.

  32. Jayme (Random Blogette) says

    This is so beautiful! Your daughter is such a generous soul. You can tell that you taught her so well!

  33. Leighann says

    Jessica, I literally have goosebumps.
    What you have taught your daughter is rare and you should be very very proud.
    She is compassionate and has an abundance of empathy.
    How wonderful

    • Jessica says

      And those traits are ones that many say people with autism don\’t possess which makes it that much better. Love seeing her prove people wrong. Thanks Leighann!

  35. krista says

    Oh gosh. What a special girl you have raised. That’s a wonderful, generous thing for her to think of.

  39. Amy Sullivan says

    First time here, and wow.

    Powerful post…so full of hope and inspiration. Your daughter has something special to teach all of us about the struggles we face and what we do with them.

    Can’t wait to click around a little more.

  41. Kate says

    Oh Jessica…that just made me cry. How sweet of your daughter to help someone struggling with something she once had a hard time with. Wow.

  45. Ilana says

    That is unbelievable. It must be amazing to learn that your daughter is capable of more than you imagined.

    And I love the way you wrote this. So simple, poignant and ended perfectly.

  46. Kmama says

    That is amazing!! And yes, so inspiring. What a wonderful thing for your daughter to do.

  47. angela says

    Now THAT is inspiring! Also, I think it shows how very much your own work with her inspired HER to help other children. Seeing and recognizing a need in someone else can be difficult for anyone to do, but taking her own experiences and figuring out a way to fulfill that need is truly special. Go Ashlyn!

  48. Ryan says

    What a great post. It’s amazing how few words we need to really survive and how much more we can communicate by our actions.

  49. Stephanie says

    Truly inspiring! And what a great heart she has to see the need in someone else. You must be so proud.