My blissful night’s rest was once again cut short by my always hungry 5 year old.  Ansley is an extremely picky eater, yet wakes up “STARVING” every morning.  I come down stairs, fix her breakfast, and soak in the morning with my coffee.  Ethan, who takes more after me, is still upstairs sleeping.  I sit down to sort through my many unopened emails.  Hey- it’s been a long week.  The last week of the school year. Awards, cookouts…busy days.  Busy days that I am once again navigating without my Best Friend – Freddie.  

We have gotten use to life with Freddie not being here.  It is our strange normal.  The kids have never known anything different.  Daddy is home for a while, then gone again.  Birthdays and Christmas via Skype is normal in our family.  The kids talk about missing Daddy.  Ansley recently said “I wish Daddy wasn’t an Army Daddy.  I wish he was a Home Daddy.”  Ethan checks the calendar often, asking for an exact date when Daddy will be home.  That is something that I can’t quite answer.  So we make Summer plans.  We also make ‘fun’ plans for when Daddy returns. 

As I check my Facebook page, I stop to read through one of the many Autism pages I am a member of.  I am struck by one post in particular.  Moms are saying over and over how either their husbands do not help with the kids at all, or have walked away from the family. I scroll through post after post of this. Some are quick posts such as “What husband?.”  Other posts go into great detail, outlining the collapse of their particular family.  

This Autism thing is tough. 

So what is my “Post” about Freddie?  My husband is a Wonderful Man.  He is more than I ever dreamed of or feel that I deserve.  He loves his family and loves the Lord.  He sets the tone for our family.  He is strong and steady.  He is the voice of reason and the calm in the storm.  He is our rock.  He is funny and silly.  He plays with the kids.  He has a standing Sunday night Beach Music dance party with Ansley.  He plays sweet songs for us to dance to.  He spends hours playing games with Ethan.  He also works very long hours.  He walks in the door exhausted, but with a smile that I have adored for over 17 years.  Freddie has a quiet, simple kindness about him.  He gives of himself not looking for recognition.  He does things because it’s “right.”  He has a heart of gold.

Freddie also enjoys a good time, a good beer, a good friend, and a long night of laughs. He is fun. He is still my choice after all these years. He tells me I am still his.  Life is good.

So in the storm of Autism, we have a family full of love.  Not perfect.  Not without issues or problems. Life is still Life.  And God is still God.  God is the center of our family.  We know where our strength comes from.  God showed us the perfect example of love by giving us Jesus.

We keep our family strong by keeping our relationship with Jesus a daily, active relationship.  We keep our family strong by keeping negative influences out.  It is easy to let situations slip in.  It is something we must be diligent about.  The devil loves nothing more than to get in and destroy a strong family.  I would rather live on an island with my family than to constantly navigate a life full of chaos.  

So what did I post on the Facebook site?  “My Precious Husband always helps me.”  

I KNOW we are Blessed to have Freddie.  Blessed beyond measure.  I too will be checking the calendar and hoping for a date that is sooner than later.  I will look forward to Sunday Night Beach Music, hoping that Freddie will also save me a dance.  I will cherish the Skype chats and late night calls.  I will miss him. I will pray for his safe return.  I will thank God everyday for giving me a husband that is all I could ever dream for.  The Best Husband – the Best Daddy in the World.