Tuesday Morning -

He did a great thing yesterday. He got on the school bus, sat down and put on his seatbelt. He hasn't ridden the bus in over six months and never without a car seat. Erik has autism. Suffice it to say "it" impairs his ability to communicate, resulting in an array of disturbing behaviors. But not yesterday. In fact yesterday he exhibited a behavior many "experts" say individuals with Autism lack, empathy.

The Bear has a twin brother named Andy, also known as Chunky, so nicknamed because he is a smidgen bigger than Erik. Chunky was not able to sit down on the bus. Why? Who freakin' knows! God, if only we could figure it out. He used to ride the bus to school everyday...but then one day he wouldn't. He freaked. He was petrified. Autism can really suck.

They started a new school yesterday and their Mom and Dad (OK - Lisa and Dave!) tried again to get them to take the bus to school. But no go...Chunky is still terrified. Erik sat bravely buckeled into his seat waiting to go to school while several people tried to help Andy sit down. When his mom finally decided it wasn't going to happen she lead Andy off the bus and looked back at Erik...his eyes where welled with tears, quietly feeling bad for his brother. Let me tell you somedays The Bear can infuriate and frustrate like nobodies business...but when he flashes his killer smile or does what he did yesterday he can break your heart.

In a stange way The Bears pain yesterday was a really cool thing! He defied the "experts" and showed us all that there is more to him than meets the eye.

P.S. This picture is few years old but it's my favorite picture of him! Toothless wonder!