Dear Addie,
Our world is home to a variety of bird species—some are small, some are fast, and all have unique abilities. Take the albatross, for example. With its expansive wingspan, it can soar through strong winds and stormy weather conditions. As a specialized sea bird, it has learned to navigate its surroundings for survival, even knowing how to fly directly into the eye of larger storms, such as hurricanes and cyclones, to conserve energy while maintaining flight and forging. Seagulls however, another type of sea bird, have the ability to sense changes in atmospheric pressure, allowing them to detect incoming storms and seek shelter inland away from wind and catastophic conditions. Both birds, both unique in their abilities.
Like birds, our life journeys are all different; some are filled with sunshine, while others bring more storms than most. Both shape us into who we are with unique abilities, which brings me to this week.
The day after Christmas marked your 14th birthday. Since you’re not one for the pomp and circumstance that often come with birthdays, we decided to head to your happy place—where the salty sea air and sand beneath your toes bring you joy. Everything was wonderful until things took a turn for the worse. Just as we were enjoying this birthday adventure, the flu hit you hard, and you began to feel as miserable as ever. There was no singing "Who Let the Dogs Out" or requesting cheeseburgers; you slept and eventually stopped drinking altogether—a far cry from the spunky girl we know and love.
On New Year's Eve, while I was helping you get ready for a shower undressing you, I noticed that you suddenly started looking around as if you couldn’t focus on anything. It was as though you were looking through me. Dad had come up to check on you at this point and that's when your face turned pale, your lips turned blue, and you began to crumble to the floor. We shouted for someone to call 911, and your big sister Clara immediately took action while Dad and I attended to you. After seemingly passing out for a moment, you eventually came to, but were incredibly weak. Dad and I carried you to the bedroom so we could lay you on your side, while Clara and Gabe went outside to flag down the EMS.
I have to say, I’ve never been so relieved to hear sirens in my life. A team of EMS personnel rushed into our small bedroom to assess the situation. As they prepared to take you downstairs to the ambulance, you started mumbling "pants," which honestly made me laugh. It’s funny how clothing is generally optional for you, but in a crisis, pants suddenly became necessary, but I digress. We found your pants, and as soon as you were in the EMS truck, they started administering fluids.
We spent the next few hours in the emergency room, treating severe dehydration and low potassium. By 2:30am New Years Day your color had returned and you were our smiling Addie again.
Addie the start of 2025 was nothing like we had anticipated. However, weathering storms is nothing new on our journey, much like the albatross we have been through many. Somehow, organically we knew facing this hurricane-like situation, we had to remain calm and keep moving forward.
As I reflect on the beginning of 2025, I feel immensely grateful for so much, especially for first responders, doctors, and nurses who choose life-saving professions and work on holidays. I want to particularly acknowledge this amazing team for being so considerate of your autism, taking extra care and concern along the way. They were AMAZING!
I'm also thankful for our little family for jumping into action so quickly. Clara did an excellent job on the phone with 911—something I hope she never has to do again. Additionally, big brother Gabe showed remarkable presence of mind by snapping a picture of all your medications and texting it to me, so I could share it with the doctors when needed.
This New Year's Eve, we flew into the eye of the storm, to a place we never expected to go. But that’s how life is, and I believe our journey has prepared us to get through this moment. It was a dramatic start to the year, but we have so much to be grateful for.
Love,
Mom
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