Our eight year old, A, has ADHD. For a long time, I suspected he could use some more help than we could give him, but felt if I asked for it that I was a failure as a mom. When it came down to it, his success was more important than my ego, so every six weeks he sees his therapist. A likes him, he is a neutral party that listens to whatever issues we are having and is able to assure us that what is going on isn’t our fault.

Last week, I went to pick up our oldest at play practice. As I was pulling up into the house, I see A running around the yard. He looked so sweet and happy…just lost in his own little world. My heart filled with love and laughter at this little boy that I often feel is so frustrating. I got out of the car and watched him for a bit longer….all of a sudden he stopped and held up a small stick. I watched for a minute or so more, and then asked him what he was doing. He turned to me and said:

“Quiet, mom. I am trying to get the birds to land on my stick.”

It was such an innocent idea, so indicative of the type of person he is. I asked him to come inside as it was time for dinner, and he threw down his stick and ran over to give me a hug. This little boy that we worry about, that frustrates us…simply loves his mom and dad. He reminded me to just love him…that the little things he does, aren’t that big a deal in the end.

I told my husband this story while we were lying in bed last night…and when I got to the part about A holding out his stick for the birds, he laughed. A deep, belly laugh… and I KNEW we were on the same page. I KNEW he was picturing our little boy running in the yard with a stick. And I was reminded yet again how much I love this man… how much this man has given me, and how little he has asked in return.