George’s mom started to cry when the doctor told us he was on the spectrum. He reached across his desk and cupped his hands over her hands and said,
“Mrs. Shepley, the halls of Northwestern and The University of Chicago are full of George Shepley’s.”
We knew pretty early George was different so we had him tested when he was three. I honestly thought we were handed a death sentence.
It took a phone call from Donald J. Shepley to pull my head out of my ass. It was my dad who told me how great a gift our son was given.
I’ve watched this little boy on the Autistic Spectrum become a young man. My dad was right again, it’s a remarkable gift.
It has been a year since George got on his bike at two o’clock in the morning. He had the determination and confidence to pedal from Indian Head Park to Riverside on a damp spring morning. He’s been under my roof since.
George just needed the steady hand of his father to get him into manhood. Since his arrival I’ve learned more about computers, trains, cameras, Furries and the Autistic Spectrum.
I’ve learned more about myself, my oldest son, my relationship with my faith and most importantly, patience.
Something never associated with Shepley men in the past.
I often hear Don Shepley’s voice saying, “you’ve got to be shitting me son?”
Though it’s coming from my mouth.
This kid doesn’t make his bed and his room looks like the nerd from “Weird Science,” but he has straightened out his father and can find anything out of line around us.
When his brother Fritz and his sister Hazel visit they appreciate their brother more than when he trampled through their daily routine.
It took me years to grip the wheel that my first born is autistic. His life is just wired differently. It’s wired tighter and because of that the world is more crisp, more bright, more detailed.
I saw today’s quote and thought It was perfect….
It’s going to be chilly today, but the sun will be bright. Kind of like being George’s Oldman…
And from heaven a roar bellows, “Son…..You’ve got to be shitting me? What are you thinking?”
