“Happiness depends on circumstances; joy depends on God.” ~
Reverend Billy Graham
Despite the ways autism impairs Alex’s language and social skills, he is intent upon sharing the things that bring him joy. Galloping through the house with his lanky six-foot-tall frame, he seeks us out several times a day to tell us about something he finds delightful. As he happily relates something he’s seen or heard that he finds interesting, amusing, or exciting, we are pleased that he wants to include us. With his contagious enthusiasm, we can’t help but share in his overflowing joy, even in seemingly simple matters.
For example, Alex’s interest in numbers and mathematical concepts has led him to an interest in the economy. He closely follows the stock market and gets excited when stocks are doing well. Not just content that the markets are doing well, he also wants to know why the economy is thriving. Knowing that certain events will lead to a good day on the stock market, he will ask Ed, “What’s the good news?” While an up day on the stock market makes Alex happy, knowing the reasons why makes him even happier.
Similarly, Alex finds watching oil prices interesting, and he knows that oil prices will influence gasoline prices. Even though Alex doesn’t own a car, buy gasoline, or even drive, he still keeps a close watch on gas prices. Besides comparing gas prices on the Gas Buddy website and at various gas stations as we drive around town, he has recently discovered a new favorite website, Fuelcaster, that predicts future gas prices. Lately, he’s been happily announcing to us after checking Fuelcaster, “Gas prices are going down tomorrow!” Fortunately, this information comes in quite handy so that we can plan our trips to the gas station and save a few cents per gallon.
Besides following economic trends, Alex additionally takes great pleasure in watching game shows on television. Along with learning trivia and how much common items cost, he has also learned to be genuinely happy for people he has never met. Often, he will come running to tell us that someone won a car on Wheel of Fortune or The Price Is Right, and he’s thrilled that they have won a grand prize. Recently, he’s been watching reruns of Supermarket Sweep, and he likes when the contestants earn extra time so that their chances of winning the final round are better. Nearly every day, he will energetically tell us, “Someone got three minutes!” He is also pleased when contestants win large sums of money on Jeopardy. People on game shows have no idea that they have such a strong cheerleader in Alex.
Aside from watching business shows and game shows, Alex also takes pleasure from listening to voices and music. He’s especially fascinated by little kids’ voices, and he will eagerly tell us that he heard someone with “a young voice.” He also likes listening to singers with raspy voices, especially Bob Dylan—I blame his father for that. If he hears someone singing with a gravelly voice, he will come running to ask us, “Is that Bob Dylan?” Even if it’s not Bob, Alex is still delighted to listen to a similar vocal style. Even more entertaining to watch is when Alex recognizes a song he likes. As a smile crosses his face, he will eagerly proclaim the song as his “favorite song.” Apparently, he has about two dozen favorite songs, according to what he has told us, but clearly these special songs fill him with joy. I especially like watching him listen to the live version of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” I’m not sure whether Alex likes this particular rendition because it’s not played as often as the regular CD version or because he finds the telling off of the “little lady” quite amusing. Nonetheless, he always grins when he hears it.
While Alex appreciates the daily joys in life, he also greatly values things that happen infrequently. He delights in those events that he deems “rare” and “special,” such as holidays or world records. He will announce these occurrences with a proper amount of awe: “It’s rare for a basketball team to score one hundred points!” or “It’s rare for the temperature to be minus digits!” or “It’s rare for Daddy to talk on the phone!” Even more entertaining to watch is when Alex proclaims in an animated way that something is “extremely rare.” For example, “It’s extremely rare for old ladies NOT to have old lady voices!” Even in the seemingly mundane, Alex finds something novel that makes him happy.
Even though autism has placed obstacles on Alex’s life, God has blessed him with an ease in finding joy in everyday experiences. As we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving later this week, I’m grateful for the lessons Alex has taught me. First, listen for the delightful lilt of a child’s voice or the familiar first notes of a favorite tune. Then, feel happy for economic upturns or someone else’s good fortune. Finally, look for the rare and special things in life, including those people like Alex who find joy in simple things and unexpected places and who share these blessings so that we, too, feel joy.
Despite the ways autism impairs Alex’s language and social skills, he is intent upon sharing the things that bring him joy. Galloping through the house with his lanky six-foot-tall frame, he seeks us out several times a day to tell us about something he finds delightful. As he happily relates something he’s seen or heard that he finds interesting, amusing, or exciting, we are pleased that he wants to include us. With his contagious enthusiasm, we can’t help but share in his overflowing joy, even in seemingly simple matters.
For example, Alex’s interest in numbers and mathematical concepts has led him to an interest in the economy. He closely follows the stock market and gets excited when stocks are doing well. Not just content that the markets are doing well, he also wants to know why the economy is thriving. Knowing that certain events will lead to a good day on the stock market, he will ask Ed, “What’s the good news?” While an up day on the stock market makes Alex happy, knowing the reasons why makes him even happier.
Similarly, Alex finds watching oil prices interesting, and he knows that oil prices will influence gasoline prices. Even though Alex doesn’t own a car, buy gasoline, or even drive, he still keeps a close watch on gas prices. Besides comparing gas prices on the Gas Buddy website and at various gas stations as we drive around town, he has recently discovered a new favorite website, Fuelcaster, that predicts future gas prices. Lately, he’s been happily announcing to us after checking Fuelcaster, “Gas prices are going down tomorrow!” Fortunately, this information comes in quite handy so that we can plan our trips to the gas station and save a few cents per gallon.
Besides following economic trends, Alex additionally takes great pleasure in watching game shows on television. Along with learning trivia and how much common items cost, he has also learned to be genuinely happy for people he has never met. Often, he will come running to tell us that someone won a car on Wheel of Fortune or The Price Is Right, and he’s thrilled that they have won a grand prize. Recently, he’s been watching reruns of Supermarket Sweep, and he likes when the contestants earn extra time so that their chances of winning the final round are better. Nearly every day, he will energetically tell us, “Someone got three minutes!” He is also pleased when contestants win large sums of money on Jeopardy. People on game shows have no idea that they have such a strong cheerleader in Alex.
Aside from watching business shows and game shows, Alex also takes pleasure from listening to voices and music. He’s especially fascinated by little kids’ voices, and he will eagerly tell us that he heard someone with “a young voice.” He also likes listening to singers with raspy voices, especially Bob Dylan—I blame his father for that. If he hears someone singing with a gravelly voice, he will come running to ask us, “Is that Bob Dylan?” Even if it’s not Bob, Alex is still delighted to listen to a similar vocal style. Even more entertaining to watch is when Alex recognizes a song he likes. As a smile crosses his face, he will eagerly proclaim the song as his “favorite song.” Apparently, he has about two dozen favorite songs, according to what he has told us, but clearly these special songs fill him with joy. I especially like watching him listen to the live version of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” I’m not sure whether Alex likes this particular rendition because it’s not played as often as the regular CD version or because he finds the telling off of the “little lady” quite amusing. Nonetheless, he always grins when he hears it.
While Alex appreciates the daily joys in life, he also greatly values things that happen infrequently. He delights in those events that he deems “rare” and “special,” such as holidays or world records. He will announce these occurrences with a proper amount of awe: “It’s rare for a basketball team to score one hundred points!” or “It’s rare for the temperature to be minus digits!” or “It’s rare for Daddy to talk on the phone!” Even more entertaining to watch is when Alex proclaims in an animated way that something is “extremely rare.” For example, “It’s extremely rare for old ladies NOT to have old lady voices!” Even in the seemingly mundane, Alex finds something novel that makes him happy.
Even though autism has placed obstacles on Alex’s life, God has blessed him with an ease in finding joy in everyday experiences. As we approach the celebration of Thanksgiving later this week, I’m grateful for the lessons Alex has taught me. First, listen for the delightful lilt of a child’s voice or the familiar first notes of a favorite tune. Then, feel happy for economic upturns or someone else’s good fortune. Finally, look for the rare and special things in life, including those people like Alex who find joy in simple things and unexpected places and who share these blessings so that we, too, feel joy.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you
completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow
with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
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