New Adventure

"Emily can't breathe, can't breathe, can't breathe...calm down Emily, you're okay, you're okay, you're okay...Emily can't breathe...calm down Emily..."



We met Emily last Saturday, when friends of Michael offered to take us & Ethan boating. Emily is 18 & autistic. She was excited to meet new people, seemed to enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds, wore a life jacket and a pony tail for the first time, but panicked at the uncertainty of her new adventure. At one point she seemed to get stuck on the idea that she could not breathe, yet also seemed to realize she just needed to calm down and life would be all right again.

This morning, her words sputtered repetitiously through my head, "I can't breathe, can't breathe, can't breathe...calm down, you're okay, you're okay, you're okay..."

We were headed up North to release Hilary into the wild of college/dorm life.



"Emily can't breathe, can't breathe, can't breathe...calm down Emily, you're okay, you're okay, you're okay...Emily can't breathe..." While Emily had moments of panic, Ethan loved every bit of boating life.


Adorned in his life jacket, he felt safe and secure. He laughed at the thrill of full throttle, as the wind whipped and the water splashed.

He boldly sat in the captain's chair, taking full control of the boat, navigating through deep waters. He knew his Grandpa was there to help.

Hilary's adventure is not unlike our boat ride. In spite of the tightness in my chest, I will be okay. My prayer for Hilary is that she will feel safe, secure, and confidant, knowing the Lord is her life jacket as she courageously steers through her new adventure in life, filled with thrills, new experiences, splashes of fun and ferocious learning.


Hilary is not alone in this boat.

Enjoy the ride, Hilary, we'll all be okay.