Our Grass is Green

We had a follow-up appointment with the developmental pediatrician yesterday.  Before going, I was nervous and looking forward to gaining further insight as to why Tucker has a speech and language delay, and whether he’s on the autism spectrum.  While it was encouraging to hear that the doctor noticed a lot of improvements, even going so far as to say that she wished all of her patients were doing as well as Tucker is, we still don’t know why he’s behind his peers.  Or whether he’s considered to be on the autism spectrum.

With the appointment behind us, my frustration about not knowing why seems selfish.  My occasional bouts with jealousy over the greener grass growing in typically developing children’s lawns seems even more so.  Going to a developmental pediatrician is extremely humbling.  Being in a waiting room with children who need to see a doctor for developmental delays means that we waited with a tiny little tot who needs a wheelchair to get around, a little girl only able to receive nutrients via a feeding tube and the little trooper and his mom that we met in the elevator who’s preparing for his third heart surgery.  What we are dealing with is nothing compared to what some of the parents we waited with are going through.  How can I complain about a speech delay?  Tucker’s never even been to the ER* or had to sleep in a hospital bed.  Instead, I’ll once again say thank you.  I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to enjoy a meal with my son.  To watch him play with his airplanes and his trucks, climb, run and jump, and greet me with the biggest smile and hug in the world when I pick him up from school.  Our grass is pretty green right here.

*Huge knock on wood!!!