Wednesday 3 April 2013

Hail The Sun?

Photo Copyright: Maggie May

We are now into Summer time, having missed out on an hours sleep on Easter Sunday morning when the clocks went forward. The weather was bitterly cold during the whole holiday. This photo shows hailstones but not from the recent holiday. It belongs to another era, but illustrates perfectly well the way the weather is misbehaving right now.

My daughter, Deb, did manage to get to our house for the Easter Weekend but it was touch and go whether she could get Rick, who has autism, into the car or not. He is too old/big to force into the car and he isn't able to look after himself if she went away for a weekend even though he is almost seventeen. Nor is he responsive to bribery or threats of a computer ban as he would just accept what came his way if he really didn't want to do something. Anyway, after being warned not to buy in any extra food or go to any trouble in case Rick wouldn't get into the car, at the very last minute, Deb phoned to say they were just leaving at about noon on Good Friday. Once he was here, he settled in very well though preferred to stay in his room in the semi darkness with his iPad. However, teenagers tend to do that anyway. He has tremendous power to control the rest of the family, though.
It is a bit hard on Dean, who really appreciates going on trips away and it must be really trying for Deb. She is hoping to get help for him and has recently had a few visits from different organisations in her own home, concerning Autism. Lets hope that something comes of that.

After Deb remarking that the west coat of England was so very much colder than the east, (and I've always experienced the opposite) the day after she left on Easter Monday, we had beautiful sunshine and I was able to sit out on the bench in the sun and enjoy the new light in the garden since next door cut his huge Leylandii tree down.  I did wrap up in a fleece though. It has continued to be sunny but cold. However that is a move in the right direction, isn't it?

18 comments:

Jackie said...

Your weather is moving in the right direction, Maggie. I pray for more sunshine and gentle breezes for you and yours.
I have a friend whose son is autistic. She is the BEST Mom, and I have the most admiration for her. No one knows how challenging (and rewarding) having an autistic child can be until he/she experiences it.
My prayers are that the research that is being done on autism will yield rewarding results in the very near future.
As summer approaches, know that I send you warm thoughts...prayers always....and of course, a big smiles from Jackie.
Love you, my friend.
J.

Celia said...

Hope your spring comes soon. Best wishes to your daughter as well as wishing her lots of energy. Glad they made it. Yes, teens with faces glowing in the dark from some electronic device is the way anymore.

Irene said...

Of course, some of this behavior just has to do with being a teenager, although he should not be allowed to be anti-social and be encouraged to mix with the rest of the family as much as possible if only to be polite. If he is indifferent to the consequences, his mother should not use that tactic and try for a new approach. I know she will need help with that and I hope she gets it soon.

I am glad that you are enjoying the sunshine in your garden and that that big tree is gone. It must be a big relief. Don't catch a cold sitting out there. xox

dianefaith said...

It's not just teenagers who have that electronic glow so much of the time. For Easter, we had our three grandchildren, ages 6-5-5. Two are boys, and they were heavy into video games. We made them go outside for a while, and they had to stop for lunch. Otherwise, their whole beings were taken up with the remotes. The little girl, however, was charming company. Maybe it's partly a male thing?
I hope your daughter is able to get some help with her son. Our societies could do far better at offering us support when we need it. She must feel stranded at times.

Mimi said...

It sure is a move in the right direction Maggie! I'm fed up of winter now, and of cold, but at least the sun has shown his face.
Pity your daughter with the unpredictability of a son with autism, but of course some of his behaviour (and his difficulties) are teenage stuff too. I hope that the organisations will be able to help.

Jeni said...

Well, hail or no hail around the flowers -they sure do look very springy, very in Easter mode and pretty!
And as to the Autism -you were so right in your comment on my post -love the children, oh my yes, but at times, curse the Autism for making so many things more difficult. Hope Deb does find some help for Rick. I know here I don't know what either Mandy or I would have done, what we would do, if we didn't have the therapists that we have for the kids. Definitely is a huge help!

Expat mum said...

This time of year can be very frustrating, weather wise. Here in Chicago we wear ski jackets one day then a mere duffle coat the next. I don't know wether I'm coming or going ;-)

Sally Wessely said...

It sounds like despite the weather not being sunny and warm, you had a nice Easter with the family. I'm sure it must be so difficult to deal with an autistic teenager. There is great help here in the U.S. I hope your daughter is able to get the help she needs as she continues to deal with autism on a daily basis.

Sueann said...

It has been sunny here to but really really cold.
Autism is a tough one...I too applaud her.
Hugs
SueAnn

Rosaria Williams said...

I do hope Deb gets more assistance with her boy. At seventeen, he needs to be learning a job, and a whole lot of skills to begin to live independently. Here Social Services as well as the school system would set up all the additional services and training, including a place to drop him off to give the family a bit of respite.

Good luck on all counts, weather and children's needs.
Hope your health is improving as well.

Brian Miller said...

oy i will be glad when the weather settles into a rhythm...we are cold hot cold hot...autism is an interesting diagnosis...i have worked autism cases before and there are def some good interventions and knwledge out there to help families with it....

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

This winter seems never ending! The brief burst of sunshine on Tuesday was a quick reminder of what Spring is supposed to be like. I managed to get a jasmine planted!

Akelamalu said...

The weather forecast is for it to be warmer (about time), beautiful day here but still very cold.

It must be really hard for your daughter to make plans, I hope she gets the help she needs with Rick to make things easier. x

Suldog said...

Weather here is finally approaching 50 (Fahrenheit) today. It is so nice! Beastly winter. I've never looked forward to Spring and Summer so much.

Secret Agent Woman said...

This Spring sure has been slow to arrive. Autism - such a difficult disorder. I wish your daughter well with dealing with it.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

The weather is teasing us isn't it Maggie? This weekend we are promised that it will be relatively mild and sunny, but be warned, it will rain next week! But, one day at a time, we can enjoy the brief respites!

Sad to read about your grandson. Autism is so debilitating for the whole family. But no need to tell you that. Much love to you all.

Anonymous said...

It's been so very cold and today is damp as well, not nice at all.

I'm glad you managed to see your grandson; it can't be easy but I imagine your daughter gets by the best she can. We get used to their quirks and traits and I guess sometimes it's just easier to let them get on with it, though I imagine it can get complicated when there are other siblings missing out.

Take care, CJ x

Brian Miller said...

happy sunday to you.

smiles.