I just dumped two newsletter links on you, so I think it’s only fair to fill you in on life. What’s going on here? Oh, a lot. All good stuff.
Ian finished public education. That milestone arrived with no fanfare or hoopla. Nobody from our public school district asked me for information about his plans and next steps. His transition program didn’t even bother with a graduation ceremony, so no pictures with robes and all that. It’s fine. He’s 22 now, and the last couple of years were just about polishing off some rough edges before going forth into the world.
In two weeks, he’s going to a six-week summer program at a college up in Vermont. In the fall, he’ll finish his AA degrees in Information Technology and Computer Programming at the local community college. He’s ready for everything. We spent three years dealing with autistic issues that were never addressed in public schools. I spent three years learning a shit ton about life after high school, and all the stuff that should have happened in high school. And now I’m monetizing that knowledge at $200 per hour.
We’re all thrilled that Ian is going to live in a college dorm and get that whole experience. He’ll be a little scared at first, because he’s never been away from home before. He’ll be okay; I’ll be a weepy mess.
After some debate, Steve and I decided to take our vacation to Spain after Ian comes back from college. It would suck, if he had a seizure or a medical emergency, while we were in Europe. I would rather not risk it. We also want to visit him once or twice or maybe more on weekends.
Jonah is working two internships, while looking for a job. All that is fine. He and Steve went camping last weekend in the 90 degree weather and thunderstorms and had a marvelous time. Yes, he’s at home for the time being, but so are most of his friends. Shrug. With Ian with us, it’s not like we’re going to be empty nesters anytime soon anyway.
I didn’t sleep for a month, because I was weighing the pros and cons of another run for local political office. I decided no, when a better offer landed in my lap. Now, I can’t stop smiling. I think that’s a sign that I made the right decision.
Here’s a slideshow of our last trip to the Catskill Mountains in New York. (Click on one to start the slideshow.)
Apt. 11d 