Belonging

Dear Addie,

"Belonging is feeling a deep sense of connection with others, even in silence."

~ Anonymous

With one step in the warm sand, I knew we belonged. A feeling that I can honestly say I've never felt before even on a good day with our family at the beach. Now as dramatic as that sounds that's not my intent, it's just facts of the journey we are on. Allow me to explain.

The beach with its rough, hot sand, salty sea air, and crashing waves has always been your sensory happy place and we want nothing more than to let you feel this joy in your life. Mommy and Daddy however aren't exactly family beach vacation brochure picture-worthy. Say that five times fast! Oye! We aren't set up under an umbrella, in cute folding chairs, sipping drinks or reading a book while you make sand castles or splash in the ankle-deep water...Not even close. We barely have time to drop our towels before you're in a full sprint to your little piece of heaven! Squeals of absolute excitement ensue and from our point of view looking back on the shore all we see is people looking at us in a somewhat curious, lingering fashion. Not a whole lot of smiles, but more so the "what the heck" look. I 1000% get it, as I would look too at the sounds coming from an adult-sized child, wearing a life vest haphazardly throwing themselves into the waves. Not to mention her mother next to her not wearing a life vest but anxiety on her face rather at the almost unlogical fear of sharks potentially swimming around us while getting equally destroyed by waves. Yeah, we are a sight to be seen trust me. I get the curiosity wholeheartedly but from my perspective, it always feels like we are on stage performing Swan Lake or something like it only we are ordinary people, not prima ballerinas, not so gracefully being destroyed by waves in the ocean, rather than performing elegant synchronized movements on a theater stage. Like, hey you're gonna want your money back after this show! just saying. Having said that, this year was by far our best year yet for you listening to directions and having zero meltdowns when it was time to get out of the water, so much growth here - bravo my dear. I am beyond thrilled too that the WWF, alligator wrestling show we used to give beachgoers upon leaving seems to be over...that was exhausting and far too exfoliating. But I digress.

This week we were blessed to be part of Surfing for Autism OBX 2024 again and with one step onto the warm morning sand, I knew we belonged. The beach was packed with smiling faces as far as I could see from volunteers, to participants, to locals and visitors all seemingly eager to share in the joy of the day. No inquisitive looks just smiles and encouraging words. There seemed to be an indescribable peace that just washed over the whole scene. For some reason, I just didn't feel worried or as if we were a spectacle - We were all One Team, One Dream right there on the beach. Each participant was accompanied by their very own "dream team" consisting of two exceptional surfers and a skilled therapist or teacher who was well educated in the special needs of a person with autism. Now while it is safe and not necessary for parents to go in the water with their children during this event, Daddy decided to join your team to help out as well. Dream Team Surfing edition - Check! Life Vest - Check! Surfboard - Check! Let's do this!

You wasted no time entering the chilly ocean water and dunking yourself repeatedly into the waves. Clearly temperature was not going to be an issue with you, daddy however may have been regretting not bringing his wetsuit, but no time to think about that - you were in it to win it! Now it was time to try and get on the board. With a couple of failed attempts, you finally figured it out and laid down like you were some sort of professional. Within a few minutes a big wave came, you hung on tight and rode it to shore like you were the next Kelly Slater...OK that might be an exaggeration but, YOU DID IT! The beach-goers cheered and clapped at your success and you headed back out to try again and again. Now if I'm being honest, that first wave was the only one you caught, but you did get on the board sitting crisscross applesauce a few times like you were going to start doing yoga out there and barrel rolled off a few times. All in all, you had a BLAST!

Addie, I stood on the shore and watched so many participants take part in this event. Some found success and joy in just getting in the water ankle-deep, some rode every wave in with perfection and others enjoyed everything in between. Everyone from the shore to the ocean seemed to be truly taking in the joy of this event clapping and cheering each individual in what they were accomplishing.

Addie, we took one step onto that warm morning sand this Saturday, and we knew we belonged. A feeling my mama heart will cherish forever.

It was an amazingly special day, thanks to some truly amazing people.

Great job Ad!

Mom