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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Journey with Autism – We can become beacons of hope

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This holiday season will be unlike what any of us has ever seen or been faced with in our lives.

Before most of us were born, when the Great Depression hit our country, my grandfather lived in Chicago, not far from newly hip places people now flock to visit.

He laughed how times had changed. He had little food and found no toys under his tree on Christmas morning. But he named these times “just life.”  He knew better days before and after, but told of how they made the best of the worst of times. Giving him my utmost reverence, I’m channeling his bright big heart, his love for humanity and lessons of the power of optimism in the face of darker times.

When I think of what our grandparents did, I’m encouraged remembering they saw the dark days through and made problems fill them with greater strength. The holidays are about remembering the past and the lights are luminous to remind us of hope and miracles. For those who have less, we can share our good fortune. For those who are struggling, we can become beacon of hope.

We will not be in the festive crowds of other holidays past. Solitude may make the celebration seem dim, as closeness in proximity isn’t advised. We must do our best to love at a distance, work to link our hearts with technology’s help and live like my papa, hold onto the promise of better days to come, until we celebrate together again.

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Joe Rosenbloom
Joe Rosenbloom
Joe Rosenbloom is a 29-year-old young man with autism spectrum disorder, who is passionate about outreach and social justice.

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