You don't have to understand him to accept him.

Disclaimer: I am not mad at anyone for the following events. I blame myself for not being more open about Liam's struggles. This is something we can all learn from.

"Liam and a lot of things don't go well."
That's a comment said to me after trying to explain that "Lines and Liam don't go well" at Sixflags this weekend. Sensing frustration from someone who sent him back to be with his father after not listen, I tried to simply say that he has a hard time waiting in lines or staying still for that matter. Instead of fully explaining the problem I simply said "lines and Liam don't go well".  Now I probably should have worded it differently,  but I really didn't want to get into it to be honest.

After having to defend him day in and day out, or explain that he's different, I didn't want to have to explain to the group of guys my son wanted to hang out with that he's different. I just wanted him to be accepted. I just wanted him to be able to hang out with someone other than his mother or father. And frankly,  we wanted to hang out with someone different too. Sometimes we all need a break, so I get it. He's a lot to handle.

I know he's crazy.
I know he's impatient.
I know he's wild.
I know he's stubborn.
I birthed the kid, I get it.
But what YOU don't know is that he's loving.
He's smart.
He's a go-getter.
He's great with younger kids.
He loves quality time with adults.
He's great at soccer.
He's a wrestler.
He loves to read.
He loves to draw.
He is very forgiving.
He loves to hug.
He is all this and more.

If you took the time to engage with him instead of being annoyed by him, you would love him too. He would love you back even more. He would be your best friend. He doesn't judge. He just loves. Yes he may get angry when he doesn't get his way, doesn't understand, or can't explain himself, but please give him two minutes and it will all be ok. He'll either move on, find his words,  or forgive you. Whatever the situation may require.  No matter how many times you knock him down,  he's going to get back up.

In the grand scheme of things aren't we all different? Aren't we all unique? That's what makes the world so wonderful. We may not always understand people's choices, lifestyles, or actions but we can accept them (within reason).

Today someone asked me if Liam could help her clean out the shed. He said he would, so I dropped him off and left. Later I asked her if he was a good help and she said he was. I said that's good to hear. Her reply was "Isn't it? " YES, YES IT IS. It was so good to hear.