Miss Him, We Will
Though severe autism makes navigating the “normal” world difficult for our younger son Sean, he has a unique intelligence and a strong intuitive sense. When his big brother moved to London for his job three years ago, it was very difficult to explain to Sean what was happening, despite using maps, a globe, and photos. Sean understood over weeks of absence that Alec was not just away overnight. Video chats helped Sean see that his brother was still alive and well. Alec talked as he walked us along the streets of London with video feed from his phone. When Alec arrived home for the holidays a year later, Sean didn’t believe his brother was really home at first, but was soon demanding that his brother sit with him on the couch and walk with him on our hikes. That first round of holidays ended, Alec returned to London, and the house was oddly quiet. “Alec! Alec couch!” Sean said repeatedly at dinner time. Each request was a stab in my heart. “Alec went on an airplane,” I explained repeatedly. The reality that Alec was away again finally sunk in. Sean started saying, “Alec airplane!” sometimes to confirm he was away, and after that as a way of asking for him to come home. We are just ending our third set of holidays with big brother Alec home from London. The day before his departure, an outing took us to the Yoda statue fountain in San Francisco’s Presidio, where I watched my sons walk together like they’ve never been apart. In a matter of hours I will be telling Sean that, “Alec went on an airplane,” yet again. Miss him, we will. This week’s Hike Notes from the archives, Yoda Fountain Stroll-The Presidio, introduces a lovely city walk on the manicured grounds of the Letterman Digital Arts Center/Lucasfilm area of the Presidio, highlighted by a fountain overseen by Yoda himself. Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries. If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777 This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives: Hike Notes 185: Yoda Fountain Stroll-The Presidio
2 Comments
1/14/2025 07:08:12 pm
What a remarkable relationship. Sean's autism adds a fascinating, enriching element to the love the boys have for one another. This was a lovely read.
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Lisa LouisSharing insights and hiking highlights (Hikes, Hike Search by Area) from the special needs caregiver front in San Francisco. Archives
February 2025
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