Rainbow Days

Rainbows have become associated with autism, mostly because of the term "autism spectrum disorders." The wide variety of children's abilities and needs "over the spectrum" is represented by the range of colors, blending one through another. However, I like the rainbow for another reason. I was brought up with the story of the Flood, and God's Promise.

the details of the story are unimportant. It is the idea of God's Promise: hope, life, and love. that is what is important, especially when you are in the thick of things. The rainbow reminds you, even at the edge of a storm, that there is sunshine ahead, that the sun is there behind the clouds, that no storm lasts forever.

That is good to remember in the midst of a hurricane.

When you find yourself in the midst of stormy days, it is good to remember and think about the Rainbow Days. We've been in the midst of a storm here. Joey has been having a lot of frustration and discomfort. Andy has been bouncing around like a pinball. I've been having a lot of bad days, especially the confusion about the fall schedule and what classes I may or may not be teaching; and when I am having a bad day, I can Guarantee You that Joey will be having one, too. These boys are very tuned in to my moods, so when my mood fails, everything goes to pieces.

That is when we think about the Rainbow Days. Days when the boys get to go play in the park, and have fun running about being boys. Days when Joey uses a lot of words and draws lots of puppets to cut out and play with. Days when we have pool parties, days when everyone is up for a nature walk, days when we make cookies. When things are clicking along, and everyone is making progress, and life is sunny. Looking through the storm to that sunshine, you can see the rainbow.

Not every day will be stormy. That is God's Promise.