Ruby's Run

The Unicorn (and The Dude, a little) participated in Ruby's Run this Sunday at Dogwood Dell to help raise money for a very good cause in memory of a very special little girl.

The reason for the run itself already had me raw with emotion. But I was still caught off guard by how emotional it was to see The Unicorn running his little heart out. The fact that he wanted to participate at all was enough to get me a bit teary. Quite often, his emotions get the best of him and he becomes overwhelmed very easily. Coping with stress, fear, shyness, and excitement all at once is hard for everybody, but especially those with ASD. So I had prepared myself for the worst and knew it was likely that he would let some unknown force trigger a meltdown that would keep him from enjoying an event he had been so looking forward to. I was just waiting to watch it all unwind, spring into comfort mode, and start to feel the familiar emotions of my heart breaking a little more for the boy who so infrequently gets to feel proud of his accomplishments.

But, then he actually ran with the other children. The Unicorn did not cry and quit. He ran the entire course, smiling and determined and happy and proud. After he received his medal, he looked up at me and said, "I won! Now I can live happily ever after." And I believe it is true. Yes, all of the participants were given medals, but I am certain Angus truly won. He won the most recent battle in the ongoing War Against Himself. And he knew he was victorious. And he will live happily ever after. I just know it.