So here it is! My first blog. Not completely sure what I’m doing with this yet but we’ll figure it out as we go and I’m sure plenty of people will give me some feedback – like it or not – along the way.
You see I’ve been into writing for a long time. I’m OK talking to people to. With some recent changes in our family life I have some “down time” that now allows me the opportunity to give this a go. I’m not a professional writer by any means. I’m actually leaving that for our oldest daughter, Ryan, to do. She’s well on her way and will put me to shame when she gets her work published (shameless early plug there). But I do feel that she has inspired me most of my adult life so she can now inspire me a little more.
A quick introduction to my family is needed I believe but this will be brief because I don’t want to give out all the family secrets in my first blog! My beautiful bride is Brooke. We have been married nearly 23 years and I have been in love with her for exactly 25 years. We have three amazing children who you will all come to know more as I continue to write and challenge myself to talk about things we don’t always talk about. Ryan, as I mentioned, is our oldest and she is almost 2 years into adulthood and she is a fiercely loyal and caring soul. Shane, our only son, is nearing adulthood but will always be with us. Shane will be a focus for many of my writings and stories as you will come to find out. Shane has Autism and is the highlight of our lives. And our last born is Delaney who lights up our life every day with her wit, her love and her willingness to help others. Believe me when I say we have a dynamic household that, despite other opinions, never really leaves a dull moment. Actually, there is the occasional day of doing nothing in our house so I guess that’s not completely true… but close. Then there’s the guy here typing away on this keyboard. I’m just a guy. Just a father of 3 great kids and (hopefully) a great husband to an amazing woman. But I’m a Dad at heart mostly. I crack jokes, tell stories, brag about my kids, work hard at everything I do so my kids can be taken care of. Pretty simple life I’d say. But, as you will come to find out… it has never always been that way.
My goal with this blog is to write about real life in the family of an Autistic teenager and what really goes on. But also the family dynamic – good and bad – that makes an impact on all of our lives and those of the people closest to us. I look to bring in perspectives from my kids and friends as well so look forward to some wise cracking to happen. I hope you will take away some experiences that may help you or someone you know. But most of all I hope you will keep reading to be entertained and know that, at the end of the day, you make your life what it is and you have a tremendous impact on those around you.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you again soon!
~Jarrett
I've Been Thinking 