Lunch with Friends

This last Wednesday, I had three of our long time adult clients over to my house for what has become our annual holiday luncheon. All three had started at Morgan Autism Center as small children and have been with us all these years. Now all are entering middle age. Also invited were four former teachers, Margie, Pat, Maureen and Jim, all of whom had worked at MAC when I first started 34 years ago. The teachers have kept in touch with me and with the students and about 5 years ago I had decided ( with prodding from Wanda and Jeff, two of the three adult clients) to invite everyone to my house for a reunion. Little did I know that this would become a holiday tradition! Jeff helps suggest the menu (usually the day after the previous luncheon) and Wanda and Chuck keep me on track to make sure I contact everyone and sometimes help me make the initial phone calls.

But what fun it was to see our old friends and talk of old times. Fortunately, Chuck has a phenomenal memory and could tell us the dates certain events happened (such as a date in the 80s that coincided with Jim's car breaking down as he was driving Chuck to the bowling alley) and Wanda and Jeff joined in with their memories. It was heartwarming to see how these adult clients, all with autism have grown up and matured. And how clearly they have formed strong emotional bonds with those of us who have worked with them and known them for so long.

All three of these adults had very challenging behaviors as children and adolescents, and even early adulthood. Two did not speak until they were 4 or 5, and all had major meltdowns when they didn't understand what was going on or were frustrated. So, to see them greeting with pleasure and hugs their longtime friends was most gratifying. How many of us keep up our friendships with others for so many years? I know just how lucky I am to have all these people in my life and cherish the opportunities to spend time with them. And, as has happened each year immediately following our lunch, I heard suggestions from Jeff today as to what we should have on the menu for next year!