Why am I sharing the details of Ari’s bar mitzvah? Frankly, I’ve been to too many bar mitzvahs where I witnessed the father’s disappointment in his son’s not speaking loudly enough when reciting his speech or reading from the Torah. Worse still are the times I’ve seen people get upset simply because some part of the kiddush didn’t turn out as planned.
My message to parents is to count your blessings. Be grateful for the incredible gift God has given you each moment you spend with your child, whether it’s a school play, a ball game, a morning in shul, a bar mitzvah. Learn to appreciate what is truly important.
Raising a child with autism can be emotionally draining, particularly when there are other challenges involved. Yet despite the difficulty of raising an autistic child, I am convinced that any parent can find the love in his or her heart required for such a task. Despite the language barriers, a parent will know that his or her love is not disappearing into some vacuum but that it is returned and multiplied a thousandfold.
I know my love for Ari, as his for me, knows no bounds.
When Ari was born thirteen years ago, Hashem gave me the gift I prayed for. Yes, it’s very challenging. Sometimes there is sadness. Nevertheless, I don’t have enough words to thank Hashem for the great and beautiful child we have. What a source of amazing joy He sent us!
When your child reaches this or any milestone, make sure you focus on how fortunate you are to have such a gift. Regardless of any challenges that come your way in the course of raising your children, remember that every child is a great blessing. Cherish and celebrate that blessing.