I was at work yesterday, and I usually call home to see how my wife and son's day is going. My wife said that he actually got his PECS card for milk, took it to her, and said, "Milk". So my wife got him a cup of milk, which he happily took and drank. I think this was the first time he actively (and verbally) requested something like this. I could sense the absolute joy in my wife's voice.

Then, when I was home, we were in my son's room playing. He will open and close his bedroom door and say, "Hi," when opening the door and "Bye Bye, see ya" when closing the door. He opened his door, looked at my wife, and said, "Hi Mommy." My wife and I just sat there, stunned. This was the very first time he called my wife mommy. I can't really remember much for the next few minutes. I do remember my wife crying a little. I think some people sometimes take things like this for granted, but it was pretty big for me and my wife. It was a great day (other than me working) and a day of firsts.

But I can't settle. I have to keep working just as hard as I have been. Things like this give me that much more hope for the future. I love my son, and things like this give me more appreciation for the son I have than I even thought possible. And the possibilities keep growing. People have recently asked me if I grieve at the lost possibilities. Yes, I have grieved, but not at the "lost" possibilities. I grieve and worry for the difficulties my son will undoubtedly face, but my job is to ease the difficulties and help him face the things he cannot change. The love is still (and will always be) there, but lost possiblities? No. The possibilities have simply changed, and I'm going to do everything I can to help my son see what these possibilities are.