I heard the music from the educational game that my son was playing on his iPad , and it brought me back to December 2022 when he and I were quarantined for 2 weeks in a hotel. For two weeks he played those games on the iPad or watched his favorite movies or listened to his favorite music. Over and over and over again. For two weeks, we could not leave our hotel room, tested for Covid almost every day, reminded twice a day to check the temperature, got a knock on our door three times a day for the food that was left outside our room.

Hearing the music makes me sad remembering how hard it was for me, worrying about how long my son could take being quarantined when he was used to having people around him at home in the Philippines.

But he survived quarantine without giving me a hard time.

My husband and I talked about how our son, with his Autism, is tougher and more patient than we thought he could ever be.

He’ll be 13 soon, and though his language and other skills are still those of a 4- or 5-year old, emotionally he is more sensitive than some adults. He can tell when he has upset someone, and he won’t hesitate to say “I’m sorry” and give them a hug. When he’s happy, he just comes up to me and gives me a kiss or a hug. The simplest thing can make him so happy. The sweetest smile he has ever given me came after he saw the read-aloud video I made for one of his favorite books.

Though sometimes I still wake up in the middle of the night worrying about his future, every day I am thankful that he brings us joy, and that he has made me and his father better people — more understanding, loving and patient towards each other.

To us he is a gift that others may find hard to accept.

Like most, I hope for better things in 2024, but I do have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Have you counted your blessings yet? 😊

I wish you all a prosperous 2024! 🎉🎉🎉

T.